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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  W:ST  MAIN  STREIT 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14S80 

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Microfiche 

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CORRESPONDENCE 


IN  RELATION  TO  THE 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  BRITISH  BRIGS 


DETROIT  AND  CALEDONIA, 


ON  THE  NIGHT  OF  OCTOBER  8,  1812. 


/ 


NOW  FIRST  f  UBLISHED. 


jjUL^    ^.7s. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

UNITED  STATES  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTING  OFFICE,  LEDGER  BUILDING. 


184.3. 


w*>iw»tfaMW— WMMitH-i  mnui 


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M^ilfii^gj^aKiggMaaaaB^tBsawikg. 


•».  ^ 


PREFATORY  REIVIARKS. 


Tho  following  corrospondence  never  having  been  Inid  fully 
and  comj(rtcdly  before  the  public,  and  the  wiiole  matter  having 
been  of  late  brought  into  renewed  controversy  by  recent  public 
"^discussions,  I  have  thought  it  desirable  that  the  affair  should 
be  clearly  and  definitively  understood.  No  new  ground  has 
been  tiikeii,  nor  is  any  new  hostility  toward,  or  fresh  imputa- 
tion upon  any  person  intended  by  the  present  publication:* 
the  sole  object  of  which  is  purely  explanatory.  It  furnishes 
both  the  text  and  the  commentary. 

J.  D.  ELIIOTT. 

West  Chester,  May  Gth,  1843. 


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iiiM"iiiil«iii irMMBBti r  1 1^' '  "I  i'"'  ••'' * "  "^ "'^'''""■»"«™"""«' 


\T 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


Washinoton  Cit»,  July  0,  1833. 
To  Commoilor*  J.  D.  Elliott ; 

Sir — My  attention  was  called  to  the  oiiclosrd  article,  which  hud  been  cut 
out  of  the  lidstou  Courier  and  Bent  to  a  friend  of  mine  in  thin  place,  with  a 
request  that  ho  would  obtain  from  me  a  statement  of  tlie  services  performed  by 
the  artillery  under  my  comnian(i|  in  the  capture  of  the  brit;»  Detroit  and  Cale- 
donia, and  of  the  circumstaiicea  under  which  the  latter  was  saved  from  being 
burnt  to  prevent  recapture.  I  understood  the  information  was  wanted  for  pub- 
lication, to  correct  what  was  believed  to  be  erroneous  in  the  article  that  appeared 
in  the  Courier,  and  to  claim  for  the  army  whatever  credit  it  was  entitled  to  for 
that  aflair.  On  reflection,  I  thought  that  if  such  publication  was  made,  it  should 
be  done  by  me,  and  under  my  name ;  and  on  further  consideration,  I  concluded 
to  make  it;  but  before  my  statement  was  prepared,  I  noticed  several  paragraphs 
in  the  public  prints  relating  to  you,  altogether  of  an  unfriendly  character ;  and 
I  thought  that  a  publication,  at  that  time,  contradicting  the  article  in  the  Courier, 
which  was  intended  to  do  you  honor,  would  have  the  appearance  of  taking  an 
unfair  advantage  of  the  feeling  produced  by  these  paragraphs.  This,  together 
with  the  important  fact  that  you  were  then  absent  from  the  country,  determined 
me  to  postpone  it.  Your  return  to  the  United  States  moves  the  objection  sooner 
than  I  anticipated.  It  occurs  to  me,  however,  that  it  will  be  most  agreeable  to 
you  to  make  the  corrections  yourself,  and  to  give  my  command  the  credit  to 
which  it  is  entitled.  The  object  of  this  communication  is,  therefore,  to  ascer- 
tain from  you  which  course  you  would  prefer. 

Your  official  report,  dated  October  0th,  1812,  the  day  on  which  the  capture 
was  made,  gives  but  an  imperfect  account  of  the  boarding  of  the  Caledonia,  and 
says  nothing  about  the  subsequent  preservation  of  that  vessel  under  circum- 
stances similar  to  those  which  induced  you  to  cause  the  Detroit  to  be  burnt. 
Your  report  says  : 

"  By  l  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  my  ..  ■  ■  In  two  boats,  which  I  had  pre- 
viously prepared  for  the  purpose.  With  ti  ;8c  boats,  fifty  men  in  each,  and 
under  circumstances  very  disadvantageous ;  my  men  having  scarcely  had  time 
to  refresh  themselves  after  a  fatiguing  march  of  five  hundred  miles,  I  put  off 
from  the  mouth  of  Buffalo  Creek  at  1  o'clock  the  following  morning,  and  at 
3  o'clock  I  was  alongside  the  vessels.  In  the  space  of  ten  minutes  I  had  the 
prisoners  secured,  the  topsails  sheeted  home  and  the  vessels  underway." 

From  this,  as  well  as  from  the  statement  in  the  Courier,  it  would  appear  that 
the  vessels  must  have  been  anchored  close  together ;  that  they  were  boarded  at 
the  same  time  under  your  superintendence  and  immediate  orders,  and  that  the 
part  performed  by  the  volunteers  from  the  army,  was  not  sufficiently  important 
to  be  particularly  noticed.  Whereas,  you  will  recollect  that  the  night  was  dark, 
and  that  the  boats  separated  immediately  after  leaving  Buffalo  Creek,  and  did 
2 


J 


not  »eo  nor  ^ommunioalp  with  enrh  othPT  aftor  that  fimc;  and  you  will  alio 
reroilfft  tliut  the  (  nliMl..nii.  lay  iiPiirt'Ht  tho  Fi.rt,  and  to  upproiirh  h.T,  thu  Wt 
.■otimmiMlr.l  |,y  Mr.  Wmt-i  niiint  puiiN  th.-  D.'Iroit.  As  we  paucd,  we  were 
huil.'d  mid  (|Ui'itioii.Ml,  but  not  oth.Twii..'  intfrriipt.'d.  At  this  timt-  wo  indii- 
tinctly  saw  the  Caiedoiiiu,  and  Mr.  VVuUn  fxproiiHfd  stronn  doiil.t,^  ubout  cur 
hpint'  abl.>  to  r.-ach  h.T  on  urcount  ol  th.-  curr.nit,  nnil  n.rmur.Ml  th.>  pilot  lor 
haviMu'  hroucht  tho  l)oat  nt-arcr  in  ihom.  Thn  piUit  inxidti-d  on  the  practica- 
hihty  of  rt'Ht  luiii;  the  briu,  m.twitbstunditm  the  c-urrent  and  the  timo  lout  in 
hfnitutinK  oiK.ut  iiial4in«  thi'  att.'ni|)t.  It  th.'n  b.cnmw  m'.v.miry,  to  prevent  an 
abandonment  of  the  enterprizo,  so  liir  uh  wp  were  .wieiTiird,  |I,.,|  I  Hhonid  tal«^ 
tho  rfbix)n«ibility  nn.l  command.  We  reached  the  bri({  with  (hdl.nlty,  and 
un(U-r  .lisadvunlHK.'ouH  einumHlances,  Alter  a  sharp  coiillict,  wo  auccceded  in 
carryi  m  her  with  a  Ion,  on  our  port,  of  two  killed  and  thirteen  wounded. 
Your  oineial  report  mentions  hut  one  kille.l  and  four  wounded  ;  but  that  wiw 
confined  to  seamen.  Vou  had  no  return  of  my  eonmiand,  wliieh  oonsisted  ol 
twenty  nine  artillerists;  of  whom  one  was  killed  and  nine  wounded ;  making 
the  angregate  as  stated. 

After  mentioninx  the  circumstances  which  compelled  you  to  anchor  the 
Detroit  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  the  impracticability  of  li-ttinii  her  into 
harbor  you  tiive  the  imrtic  ulars  of  your  landinK  ami  of  th-  enemy's  boarding 
with  forty  soldiers,  and  then  being  compelled  to  leave  her  "  with  the  low  of 
nearly  all  his  men;"  but  you  do  not  mention  burning  the  brif,'  to  prevent  »ub- 
»c(ju.'nt  recapture. 

In  .,penking  of  the  other  vessel,  you  say,  '■  The  Caledonia  had  been  beached 
in  as  sale  a  jiosition  as  the  circumstances  would  admit  of,  under  one  of  our  bat- 
teries at  Black  Rock."  There  was  no  selection  of  place  in  "beaching" 
the  Caledonia;  she  grounded  in  tho  Niagara  river,  opposite  two  of  tho 
enemy's  batteries,  which  kept  up  a  fire  on  her  at  intervals  throughout  the 
day.  About  the  time  you  loft  the  Detroit,  Mr.  Watts  left  the  Caledonia,  with 
the  prisoners  taken  in  her,  and  did  not  return.  I  remained  on  board  with  my 
command,  and  notwithstaiuling  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  succeeded  in  getting  the 
brig  afloat  by  landing  jxirt  of  her  cargo.  If  .Air.  Watts,  or  the  seamen,  had 
remained  or  returned  after  the  cargo  was  land.'d,  we  shouhl  have  been  able  to 
have  brought  the  vessel  into  port;  but  for  want  of  nautical  skill,  I  could  only 
•uccecd  in  bringing  her  nearer  the  shore,  and  into  a  safer  position,  before  she 
again  got  aground. 

About  dusk  a  seaman  came  on  Iwanl  with  combustibles,  and  stated  that  you 
had  sent  him  with  instructions  to  burn  the  brig ;  that  you  were  informed  the 
enemy  had  crossed  the  river  below,  and  was  marching  to  attack  Black  Rock ; 
that  the  troops  were  leaving  the  Rock  to  join  the  main  body,  under  General 
Smyth;  and  that  unless  the  brigs  were  burnt,  they  would  be  recaptured.  At 
this  lime  the  Detroit  was  on  fire.  As  I  did  not  believe  the  enemy  intended  to 
attack,  and  that  if  h.-  did,  it  would  be  soon  enough  to  burn  the  brig  when  it  was 
found  he  could  not  be  repulsed,  I  would  not  permit  your  order  to  be  executed. 
Tho  report  of  the  enemy's  movements  proved  to  be  incorrect,  and  the  Caledonia 
Was  saved. 

You  will  probably  ask  why,  if  your  official  report  was  considered  incorrect, 
or  not  sufficiently  particular  in  its  details,  it  was  not  mentioned  to  you  at  the 
time,  and  why  it  has  been  permitted  to  remain  thus  long  without  explanaUon 
or  correction  ?  The  answer,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  is  that  the  day  following 
the  date  of  your  report,  Mr.  Watts  called  on  me,  as  he  said,  by  your  direction, 


wtfft^'fVi  m.  I'ljiit'lMi 


and  ynii  will  aliio 
imrh  hiT,  tlio  lK)ot 

|)uupd,  we  wer* 
'u»  titin'  wp  inilii- 
iltiiiliiA  uboiit  iiiir 
•iiri'il  thi>  pilot  lor 
'd  mi  thi-  prartica- 

tha  time  lo«t  in 
iry,  to  prt'vi'iit  an 
lliiit  I  kIioiiIiI  tuko 
Ui  diinnilty.   uml 

Wt!   KtRl't'odl-d  ill 

hirti't'n  wouiidi'd. 
I'd ;  but  tliut  wiM 
liii'li  coimiitt'd  of 
irotindi'd ;   mnkiii|( 

III  to  nnclior  the 
it'C'ttiiiK  li<T  into 
i'iif'iiiy"g  bourdiiig 
"with  the  luaaof 
ig  to  prevent  »ub- 

liud  bnoti  beached 
•r  one  of  our  but- 
!  in  "  bcafhing" 
site  two  of  tho 
>  throu);hotit  the 
Culedoniu,  with 
11  board  with  my 
led  in  getting  the 
tho  m^anii'ii,  hiid 
lavc  been  able  to 
kill,  I  could  only 
sition,  before  she 

d  stated  that  you 
?re  informed  the 
ick  Black  Kock; 
y,  under  General 
recaptured.  At 
leniy  intended  to 
brif;  when  it  was 
r  to  be  executed, 
nd  the  Caledonia 

idered  incorrect, 
led  to  you  at  the 
hout  explanation 
he  day  following 
y  your  direction, 


to  r,q„„t  m,  to  ft,m,.h  yoi,  nny  .tat.ment,  which  you  wi.h«d  to  have  before 
you  .ent  y,mr  report  to  VV..,hin,ton      I  repl Miat  I  w«.  bound  to  report  to 

Zir"!         '  ""T  '' *   •'"'   '*■""•  ""•'  •*""  '  '•'""•'  "'"  --omMricate 

on.  ,,|y  with  you  on  the  .ubject  without  di.re.p.-ct  to  him.  Having  th.m  ,l«. 
cl.ned  to  fiirn,«h  you  my  .t.itemenf  of  the  factn,  )  bad  no  riul.t  to  ro,np|.u„  of 
the  omiMion,  m  your  r-.|„,rt;  a.  y„u  ...luld  have  had  no  p,.r,on«l  kno«  ledKe  of 
•ome  of  the  mo«t  important  circumstance,  connected  with  the  capture  of  the 
(.nleilonm. 

I  have  been  fre, ntly  «dvi,ed  to  make  a  Hfatoment  of  the  circumitanre.  in 

the,ourn«Uol  the  day;  but  it  appnnred  ,o  be  a  Hiiiall  niatfnr.  not  Huffi.-i,  ntly 
rnpor  ant  to  mtere.t  th„  public,  and  .,  far  a,  relate,  ...oiirHelvcH,  tluit  view  wa, 
proUbly  correct ;  but  a«  attention  hai,  recently  been  called  to  the  .ubject  by  the 
•rficle  ,n  the  (  our,,  r,  I  can  no  longer  remain  silent,  without  neKleetinB  a  '.itv 
I  owe  to  those  who  acted  with  me.  I  f„el  ,he  obligation  more  forcibly  Miice 
the  ilenth  nl  the  lamented  and  callanf  Captain  Schenck,  the  only  olHcer  who 
•hnred  with  me  the  duty  of  makiuR  tlie  statement  and  the  responsibility  of  de- 
layinif  it.  ^ 

You  ore  uiu,ii..Hfi„nably  entitled  to  nil  the  credit  duo  for  planiiine  the  enter- 
prlie,  and  for  commnndini;.  in  person,  the  party  that  Imar.le.l  the  Detroit-  but 
in  every  thins;  r,.lntin«  to  the  f'abdonia.  the  brii?  (irst  .apture.l,  you  l,ad  no 
other  n«ency  than  that  of  siiL'Kesting  the  plan  and  furnishinR  the  boat  anil  sea- 
men that  lK,ardod  her.  Although  but  a  merchant  vessel,  she  made  a  gallant 
an.l  desperate  resistance,  and  it  was  not  until  we  hod  two  men  killed  and  thir- 
teen  wounded,  (two  mortally,)  that  she  was  captured,  while  the  Detroit  per- 
nriitted  you  to  get  alongside  before  you  were  discovered,  and  to  board  her  almost 
without  resiHtonce. 

I  hove  always  thought  it  strange  that  the  Detroit,  a  llritish  vessel  of  war  lay- 
ing  near  an  enemy,  should  have  been  captured  by  surprise,  more  especially  o. 
she  must  have  known,  from  the  firing  of  the  Caledonia,  the  hostile  chi-racter  of 
the  iKint  she  had  just  haile.l.  It  was  certainly  fortunate  tbr  us  that  the  person 
in  command  was  a  rrovi>,rin/,  and  not  a  re^M.lar  officer  of  the  IJritish  Navy  as 
I  had,  until  lately,  believed. 

As  to  the  preservation  of  the  Caledonia  after  capture,  you  will  reroMect  that 
she,  as  well  as  the  Detroit,  was  exposed  through  the  day  to  the  en.  ,  y  s  fire  ■ 
that  about  the  time  you  quitted  the  latter,  and  the  British  got  temporary  possession 
of  her,  Mr.  Watts  left  the  former,  taking  with  him  the  seamen  ami  prisoners, 
while  my  detachment  remained  on  board,  landed  part  of  the  cargo  and  got  the 
brig  near  in  shore.  You  will  also  recollect  you  determined  the  Caledonia  should 
be  burnt  as  well  as  the  Detroit,  to  prevent  recapture;  but  that  the  p.^rson  you 
sent  was  not  permitted  to  e.Tecuto  your  order,  and  that  the  brig  tlus  saved 
formed  part  of  that  gallant  fleet  that  achieved  the  glorious  and  important  victory 
on  Lake  Erie. 

You  will  oblige  me  by  letting  nie  hear  from  you  as  soon  after  the  receipt  of 
this  as  your  convenience  will  permit. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  ' 

N.  TOWSON. 

2b  the  Editor  of  the  Courier  : 

The  pen  qualifies  the  sword,  and  the  sword  protects  the  pen;  whei.  both  are 
wisely  united,  they  constitute  civilization;  when  separated,  they  mark  a  state 


I 


mUk 


8 


J 


of  savage  life.  The  fame  of  Washi.-„ton  would  fade  away  into  fable  were  it 
not  for  the  pen.  The  renown  of  Moses  ami  Joshua,  ami  David  and  Solomon, 
would  not  hf.ve  reached  us,  had  it  not  been  borne  on  the  win},'s  of  literatu/e ; 
but  would  have  come  down  to  us  like  the  fame  of  Hercules,  and  Jason,  and 
Theseus,  and  the  stories  of  giants.  If  the  sword  protects  the  pen,  the  pen 
should,  in  return,  protect  the  sword.  We  rarely  find  them  happily  united  as  in 
a  Xenophon  and  a  Julius  Caesar. 

I  had  been  led  casually  to  notice  a  brave  militaiy  character  of  our  own  coun- 
try, without  knowing  any  thing  of  his  history,  from  observing  now  and  then 
his  remarkable  deeds  :  first,  in  the  Mediterranean,  se'^ond,  on  Lake  Erie,  third- 
ly, on  the  coast  of  Brazil,  and  lastly,  on  the  seaboard  of  South  Carolina,  when 
Gen.  Scott  commanded  by  land,  in  the  unhappy  difficulties  of  nullification ;  in 
all  which  it  appears  that  Jesse  D.  Elliott  conducted  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  its  President.  His  being  selected  to 
carry  despatches  to  Mr.  F'nckney,  our  Minister  at  the  Court  of  Great  Britain, 
is  not  worth  mentioning,  were  it  not  to  show  that  there  was  something  about 
Mr.  Elliott  that  elicited  patronage ;  for  he  stood  alona  in  the  world,  his  father, 
Captain  Robert  Elliott,  having  been  slain  in  battle  with  the  Indians,  when  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Wayne.  He  left  a  widow  and  nine  children.  Congress, 
exactly  thirty  years  ago,  when  Nathaniel  Macon  was  Speaker,  Aaron  Burr 
Vice-President,  and  Thomas  Jefferson  President,  voted  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
dollars  to  the  widow  and  children  of  Robert  Elliott,  our  Commodore  being  then 
but  a  school-boy. 

He  was  born  in  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  (although  the  Port-Folio,  Vol.  IV.,  No. 
6,  says  in  Maryland.)  Vt'e  know  not  the  year  of  his  birth,  but  guess  his  age  to 
be  about  fifty.  .  Ho  was  two  years  at  Dickinson  College,  in  Pennsylvania,  when 
Mr.  Jefferson  gave  him  a  midshipman's  commission,  under  which,  it  seems,  he 
resolved  to  carve  his  way  to  distinction.  He  was  on  board  the  frigate  Chesa- 
peake when  she  vtas  fired  into  by  the  British  ship  Leopard.  .  After  that  dis- 
graceful affair,  he  was  transfei  red  to  the  Essex,  and  went  in  her  to  the  Medi- 
terranean to  check  the  Barbary  Powers,  who  had  captured  a  number  of  our 
countrymen,  and  held  them  in  the  bonds  of  slavery.  Deep  anxiety  on  their 
account  pervaded  this  country,  and  great  responsibility  was  annexed  to  this  new 
service.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  in  our  history,  that  the  \varlike  Washington 
should  be  reconciled  to  pay  tribute  to  those  lawless  corsairs,  while  peaceful 
Jefferson  sent  them  powder  and  ball.  Jefferson  may  be  said  to  have,  in  a  great 
measure,  conquered  the  Mediterranean  pirates.  When  he  was  our  minister  at 
the  Court  of  France,  he  never  ceased  to  denounce  our  humiliating  practice  of 
paying  tribute  to  those  buccaneers.  It  was  the  topic  of  many  of  his  letters 
home. 

Congress  was  enabled  to  send  but  a  small  force  on  this  service,  and  our 
limited  means  of  annoyance  compelled  our  infant  navy  to  pursue  a  system  of 
masculine  intrepidity,  severe  discipline,  and  promptitude  of  obedience,  of  which, 
even  to  the  present  hour,  we  feel  the  benefits.  The  ff;rocity  and  treachery  of 
the  enemy  taught  our  ofHcers  and  crew  to  be  ever  on  the  alert,  while  their 
cruelty  created  a  boldness  on  our  side,  that  partook,  at  'times,  of  rashness.  IC 
was  in  such  a  Spartan  school  of  war  that  our  midshipman  commenced  his  salt- 
water education.  On  that  element  he  learned  to  smile  at  danger,  and  become 
familiar  with  it.  He  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1811;  and  served  on 
board  the  ship  John  Adams,  whence  he  was  transferred  to  the  Argus,  of  which 
he  acted  as  first  lieutenant. 


iiHTiKi'T-' Ti'  '"111   •n'-riitTiTi'ii-ii n-iTiMlHiji.Huti.jiM 


ray  into  fable  were  it 
1  Uaviii  and  Holomon, 
winiis  of  literutUi'e ; 
cules,  and  Jason,  and 
!ct9  the  pen,  the  pen 
n  happily  united  as  iii 

cter  of  our  own  coun- 
lerving  now  and  then 
,  on  Lake  Erie,  third- 
iouth  Carolina,  when 
es  of  nullification ;  in 

entire  satisfaction  of 
His  being  selected  to 
uurt  of  Great  Britain, 

was  something  about 
the  world,  his  father, 
e  Indians,  when  under 

children.  Congress, 
speaker,  Aaron  Burr 
!  sum  of  two  thousand 
ommodore  being  then 

•t-Folio,  Vol.  IV.,  No. 
,  but  f,uess  his  age  to 
ri  Pennsylvania,  when 
r  which,  it  seems,  he 
ird  the  frigate  Chesa- 
)ard.  .  After  that  dis- 
t  in  her  to  the  Medi- 
:ed  a  number  of  our 
eep  anxiety  on  their 
IS  annexed  to  this  new 
!  warlike  Washington 
sairs,  while  peaceful 
aid  to  have,  in  a  great 
;  was  our  minister  at 
imiliating  practice  of 
if  many  of  his  letters 

this  service,  and  our 
o  pursue  a  system  of 
f  obedience,  of  which, 
city  and  treachery  of 
Jie  alert,  while  their 
mes,  of  rashness.  It 
commenced  his  salt- 
danger,  and  become 
1811;  and  served  on 
i  the  Argus,  of  which 


After  we  declared  war  against  England,  for  impressing  our  seam?n,  and  at- 
tackmg,  in  time  of  peace,  an  unprepared  Irigate,  it  wa.s  determined,  a.s  the  best 
means  of  drawing  a  British  force  offirom  the  sea-jiorts,  to  divert  their  attention 
to  their  Canadian  possessions  ;  and  Commodore  Chauncey  was  with  this  view 
sent  to  Lake  Erie  on  our  part,  and  Sir  James  Yeo,  on  the  side  of  the  British,  to 
counteract  it.  Chauncey  was  desirous  of  engaging  Elliott  in  that  service ;  where- 
upon. Lieutenant  Elliott  was  honored  by  an  appointment  to  a  command  on  Lake 
Erie.  This  we  assert  on  the  authority  of  the  Port-Folio,  of  December,  1814, 
which  contains  his  life,  with  a  portrait  of  him.  That  account  adds,  that  -  he 
received  orders  to  repair  to  Lake  Erie,  with  all  po.sgible  despatch,  purchase 
what  private  vessels  he  could,  build  two  ships  of  twenty  guns,  and  as  early  as 
possible  hav  his  fleet  in  readiness  to  meet  that  of  the  enemy." 

The  same  authority,  p.  330,  adds— "  Lieutenant  Elliott  knew  the  vast  import- 
_  ance  of  the  command  ol  the  Lakes  in  our  war  against  Canada,  and  the  difficulty 
and  the  delay  which  would  attend  the  building  of  the  vessels,  and  the  expense. 
He  had,  in  pursuance  of  his  orders,  purchased  some  vessels,  but  was  embar- 
rassed with  the  difficulty  of  getting  them  up  the  Niagara,  and  into  the  Lake; 
and  he  resolved  to  obtain  them  r^ady  math.  After  revolving  all  the  obstacles, 
he  formed  the  heroic  resolution  of  capturing  two  BriH«h  brigs  of  war,  that  lay 
under  the  protection  of  the  cannon  of  Fort  Erie  (wi  fortress  we  ;ook  from 
them  since  that  period.)  Elliot  accordingly  provided  tivo  boats  with  fifty  men 
in  each,  and  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  came  alongside  of  the  Detroit  and 
the  Caledonia,  lying  under  the  protection  of  the  Fort.  He  boarded,  sword  in 
hand,  the  two  vessels  of  war,  and  carried  them  in  ten  minutes.  He  made  one 
hundred  and  thirty  prisoners,  with  their  officers,  and  released  forty  of  his  own 
countrymen  from  captivity.  They  belonged  to  the  tth  U.  S.  Regiment.  Elliott 
entered  the  first  man  on  boarding,  and  opposed  three  of  the  enemy  with  no  other 
weapon  than  his  cutlass." 

I  think  I  hear  the  reader  inquire,  with  surprise— " //«,„  came  I  not  ever  to 
hear  of  this  brilliant  deed  before?"  I  answer,  because  heroic  men  never  brag- 
modesty  and  bravery  go  together,  hand  in  hand.  If  individuals  were  silent, 
Congress  were  not,  who  passed  the  following  resolve  :  '•  That  the  President  of 
the  United  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  have  distributed,  as 
pri.-e  money,  to  Lieutenant  Elliott,  his  officers  and  companions,  or  to  their 
widows  and  children,  twelve  thousand  dollars,  for  the  capture  and  destruction 
ofthe  British  brig  Detroit r  and  aLso,  "Resolved,  that  the  President  of  the 
United  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby  recpjested  to  present  to  Lieutenant  Elliott,  of 
the  Navy  ofthe  United  States,  an  elegent  sword,  with  suitable  emblems  and 
devices,  m  testimony  of  the  just  sense  entertained  by  Congress  of  his  gallantry 
and  good  conduct  in  boarding  and  capturing  the  British  brigs  Detroit  and  Cale- 
donia, while  anchored  under  the  protection  of  For*  Erie." 

The  Hon.  Henry  Clay,  when  the  new  army  bill  was  discussed  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  January,  1813,  said-"  The  capture  of  the  Detroit,  and  the 
destruction  ofthe  Caledonia  (whether  placed  to  our  maritime  or  land  account) 
iot  judgment,  skill  and  courage  on  the  part  of  Lieutenant  [now  Commodore] 
Elliott,  H.^s  NKVEtt  BEEN  SURPASSED  "  See  National  Intelligencer,  February  6 
1813,  No.  11132. 

Shortly  after  tliis  brilliant  exploit.  Lieutenant  Elliot  joined  Chauncey  at  Sack- 
ctt's  Harbor,  who  sailed  on  the  8th  of  November,  with  six  schooners,  in  quest 
ofthe  enemy's  fleet,  and  on  the  same  day  fell  in  with  the  Royal  George,  but 
found  her  next  morning  riding  in  Kingston  Channel,  under  the  protection  of  the 


J 


10 

English  batteries.  He  immediately  followed  her  into  the  Channel,  and  enframed 
her  for  nearly  two  hours,  and  determined  to  board  her  in  the  night ;  but  the 
wind  increasin-  and  blowing  directly  on  shore,  the  pilot  would  not  "venture,  and 
the  Commodore  reluctantly  gave  up  the  attempt.  On  this  occasion  Lieutenant 
Elliott  commanded  the  vessel  destined  to  lead  in  the  enterprize. 

On  the  21th  of  July,  Mr.  Elliott  was  promoted  over  thirty  lieutenants  to  the 
ra.n\s.o(ma.,tercom,n<m,la„t.  Whether  this  honorable  promotion,  for  there  is 
no  date  of  the  year  (a  negligence  too  often  complained  of  in  American  publica- 
tions,) gave  occasion  to  the  unfriendly  conduct  of  Commodore  Perry,  five  years 
after  their  battle  with  the  British  (the  10th  of  September,  1S13,)  we  are  nnable 
to  say;  for  Perry's  high  eulogiums  on  Elliott  at  that  time,  and  years  afterwards, 
and  his  tacking  about  and  contradicting  them,  has  been  a  mystery  to  the  writer, 
and  a  matter  of  deep  regret,  as  Oliver  Hazard  Perry  had  his  esteem,  friendship 
and  respect. 

Captain  J.  D.  Elliott  commanded  the  Madison  in  Commodore  Chauncey's  fleet, 
which  carried  General  Drarlwrn,  wittl  seventeen  hundred  men,  to  the  attack  of 
Fort  George  and  York ;  but,  finding  that  his  ship  could  not  be  brought  into  ac- 
tion, by  reason  of  the  shoalness  of  the  water,  he  asked  the  Commodore's  per- 
mission to  lead  the  small  vessels  employed  to  cover  the  landing  of  the  troops, 
of  which  there  is  the  following  evidence  ol'  it : — 

"  GosroRT  NivY  Yazid,  May  21th,  1821. 
"  To  Capt.  J.  D.  Elliott,  U.  S.  Navy  : 

*'  Dear  .SVr— I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  communication,  and  feel  a 
pleasure  m  statmg  that  you  were  Flag-Captain  of  the  Commodore's  ship  when 
the  attack  was  made  on  York,  Upper  Canada.  Your  ship  drawing  too  much 
water,  could  not  get  into  action,  and  I  know  you  volunteered  to  take  the  com- 
mand ol  a  schooner,  and,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  you  were  the  first  in 
"'^tion.  Yours,  &c,, 

"  J.  MACPIIERSON." 
From  what  has  been  said,  it  appears  that  our  friend  Elliott  was  always  on  the 
alert,  always  pushing  Ibrward  in  the  road  of  danger,  and  alvvay.s  successful ; 
and  always  a  favorite  of  the  government ;  and  we  venture  to  predict  that  he 
always  will  be,  unless  from  disease,  or  some  such  sad  calamity,  he  should,  like 
some  others,  change  his  nature  and  his  character. 

In  our  next  number  we  shall  speak  of  a  spirited  transaction  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, with  the  Bey  of  Tunis(?)  as  recorded  by  Mordocai  M.  Noah,  in  page 
383,  of  his  Travels  in  Europe  and  Africa;  for  if  .T^.v*  Duncan  Elliott  is  really, 
as  we  now  believe,  an  highly  meritorious  officer,  we  are  disposed,  as  far  as  in 
our  power,  to  sustain  him  in  his  ab.sence;  and,  if  otherwise,  leave  him  to  the 
reproaches  he  may  merit  from  his  countrymen. 


Cambridge,  March  Ath,  1835. 


B.  W. 


U.  S.  Frigate  Constitution,  ( 

_   ^  New  York  Harbor,  July  12th,  1835.  t 

7b  General  Nathan  Towson  : 

S*r — Your  communication  of  the  0th  instant,  was  duly  received,  and  I  have 
given  it  the  careful  consideration  to  which  it  was  entitled,  on  account  of  its 
subject  and  the  distinguished  source  from  which  it  proceeds.  I  appreciate  the 
delicacy  wliich  restrained  you  from  moving  in  the  affair  during  my  absence, 
and  which  offers  me  the  option  as  to  the  mode  in  which  it  shall  be  made  public 


.. 


J_ 


■^^saajh*  "^iji : 


mel,  and  engaged 

e  night;  but  the 

not  venturp.  and 

asion  Lieutenant 

ieutpnants  to  the 
ion,  for  there  is 
meriran  publica- 
Perry,  five  years 
,)  we  an-  unable 
'ears  afterwards, 
ry  to  the  writer, 
iteem,  friendship 

i^hauncey's  fleet, 
to  the  attiu-k  of 
brought  into  ac- 
iinmodorc'9  per- 
ig  of  the  troops, 

Y  21th,  1821. 

Mtion,  and  feel  a 
ore's  ship  when 
wing  too  much 
a  take  the  com- 
ere  the  first  in 

PHERSON." 

s  always  on  the 
ays  sncccssful; 
predict  that  he 
he  should,  like 

in  the  Mediler- 
Noah,  in  page 
•Elliott  is  really, 
ed,  as  far  as  in 
ive  him  to  the 

B.  W. 


TUTION 

■  12th,  183 


35.  \ 


sd,  and  I  have 
account  of  its 
appreciate  the 
J  my  absence, 
>e  made  public 


11 

now.  The  latter  I  must  decline.  What  explanations  I  have  to  make  must  be 
n.a.le  to  yourself,  w.th  full  permission  to  use  them  us  you  shall  think  expedient ; 
1  do  not  (eel  timt  the  occasion  requires  me  to  volunteer  a  publication,  and  it  is 
not  my  pract.ce,  nor  wouhl  it  accord  with  my  feelings  to  force  public  attention 

ITJu  ,T  '^f  '""  '"  """  *■"'"  '^  '''^"•'"^  '■'•'""  ■"'"«'  "«'> «»  publication  by 
you  Will  not  be  indelicate  nor  obtrusive.  ^ 

Your  letter  c^mphun«  that  in  my  official  report,  dated  October  Oth,  1812,  of 
he  capture  at  Nugara  Straits  of  ,ho  British  vessels  Detroit  and  Caledonm,  by 
he  expedition  under  my  command,  justice  is  not  fully  rendered  to  yourself,  and 
^e  services  of  the  party  of  artillerists,  which  you  accompanied  I  one  o     ^e 
boats .  and  you  request  that  I  will  supply  the  deficiency  now.     There  is  no  man 
no  J^rt^  "PP-<^iates  your  high  services  and  reputation  than  myself,  and 
no  man  who  wouhl  more  reluctantly  withhold  from  another  his  just  meed  of 
pra.se ;  but  ,t  does  not  appear  thac  I  can  aid  you  in  this  case.     I  cannot,  after  a 
lapse  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  undertake,  upon  the  evidence  of  a  single 
and  not  uninterested  witness,  to  alter  an  official   re,x,rt,  made  upon  the  tea- 
nmony  an     under  the  correction  of  all  the  actors  in  the  affair;  a'^eport  thus 
made  and   hat  has  stood  so  long  unquesfione.l,  carries  authority  that  its  author 
cannot  shake.     It  has  become  history,  and  nothing  that  is  in  my  power tdo 
now  could  alter  it^     Indeed,  I  could  but  state  what  you  tell  me' a'^d  whil  I 
now  hear  lor  the  first  time,  though  tv.enty-three  years  have  passed  since  the  oc 
curronce;  and  my  repetition  of  your  statement  would  add  nothing  to  its  intrin- 
sic weight      Besides,  if  my  intervention  had  any  influence  whatever,  it  might 
rather  tend  to  dimmish  that  weight,  because  I  .should  feel  bound  to  sp  ak  as  the 

teachel  °^     '  ^'"''"'  '''"^'  ''^''■•*'  ^°"^  ^*'^*^'"'="*  i"  ««■«<='  ini- 

The  orphan  family  of  the  lamented  Watts  has  no  dearer  inheritance  than  the 
lustre  of  has  ac  ions,  and  that  must  not  be  tarnished  by  the  hand  of  his  old  com- 
mander; it  IS  late  now  for  any  to  tarnish  it.  It  appears  then  to  me,  that  if 
you  continue  to  desire  the  publication  of  your  statement,  it  will  proceed  most 
properly  ,rom  yourself,  and  I  will  cheerfully  off^er  here  such  comments  as  "! 
cur  to  me  upon  its  contents.  There  seems  throughout  your  letter,  and  especially 
th  latter  portion  ol  it,  a  disposition  to  .lopreoiate  the  merit  of  the  enter'prize 
re  er.ed  to  and  to  decry  the  part  taken  by  its  conductor.  I  am  reluctant  toTp 
pose  that  this  IS  prompted  by  any  feeling  akin  to  hostility,  and  I  regret  to 
observe  it.  For  my  part,  I  may  aver  that  I  never  claimed  more  merit  than  mt 
comrades  awarded  to  me,  and  that  I  studiously,  at  all  times,  have  endeavored  to 
render  full  justice,  to  them  and  their  gallant  services.  That  I  did  so  in  your 
own  case,  that  official  report  itself  bears  witness  ^ 

.  J°"  Tf  !r  ^'T  "'"""^  ""°"^  '^^  ^"''°^''i"='te  officers,  whose  gallantry  is 

ommended,  though  you  volunteered  as  a  private  and  had  no  command  asir  a 

I  ever  knew  until  now,  when  you  inlbrm  me  of  it.     That  I  did  this  in   he  case 

Roa  h    P     r      °,  '"f'-  ,  "''""  ■^*'*"'  •'^'""'"^"»'y  ^«  —  •>'■  tbe  hero 
Roach   Prestman  and  others,  besides  that  of  your  commander  Mr.  Watts   whT 

oon  after   sacrificed  his  life  in  spiking  the  guns  that  obstructed  the  inv    ion  by 

General  Smyth,  who,  with  his  command,  then  including  yourself  "ooS  on 

during  the  unimproved  victory.     Indeed,  though  you  comjil  tha   the  pa  1  of 

artillerists  had  not  their  sufficient  fame,  and  invL  me  to'amend  t  e  de  J  five 

See         "*""'  '"  ^^''""'^  '"'''''  ""  ^''""  ^y  Po-^'^  imputati     of 


J 


12 

Ymi  say  that  Mr.  Watts,  who  commamlrd  the  boat  in  which  you  were  placed, 
called  oil  you  for  any  statoment  that  you  misiht  desire  to  offer,  in  order  that  I 
might  embody  it  in  my  report ;  you  dediir  '  to  maie  any  except  to  your  supe- 
rior officer,  then  Lieutenant  Col.  Scott,  an(  flat  you  have,  therefore,  no  right  to 
complain  of  the  omission  of  any  facts  not  known  to  me,  and  of  which  I  could 
have  had  no  knowledge.  That,  sir,  is  perfectly  true,  and  the  facts  must  defeat 
any  suspicion  of  injustice  on  my  part.  The  admission  is  the  more  generous— 
as— you  will  pardon  the  observation— it  develops,  not  merely,  a  misapprehen- 
sion of  your  duty,  but  an  act  of  insubordination,  the  consequences  of  which,  to 
yourself  and  your  corps,  you  are  now,  after  twenty-three  years,  endeavoring  to 
remedy.  Had  you  reported  to  me  then,  there  would  have  been  no  occasion  to 
report  to  me  now.*  A  small  party  of  private  soldiers,  without  office].,,  were 
lent  to  me  by  the  general ;  You  and  Captain  Barker  volunteered  as  privates  on 
the  expedition;  one  only  was  allowed  to  go,  and  you  won  the  privilege  by  lot — 
you  went  as  a  private,  and  for  the  occasion,  your  only  superior  officer  was  my- 
self. You  were  to  obey  and  to  report  to  me,  and  your  refusal,  when  the  latter 
was  required,  was  as  much  a  breach  of  duty  as  would  disobedience  have  been. 

Were  it  not  for  that  step,  your  present  communication  would  have  been  un- 
necessary. It  is  not  apparent,  sir,  that  you  ever  reported  to  General  Scott ;  it 
is  certain,  at  least,  that  he  has  made  no  statement  on  the  subject ;  and  it  is 
inconsistent  with  his  high,  generous  character,  and  perfect  knowledge  of  all 
military  dutj ,  to  ascribe  his  silence  to  any  other  cause  than  that  he  received  no 
report  from  you,  or  that  he  justly  considered  himself  not  the  quarter  to  which 
it  should  have  been  sent.  I  may  remark,  that  tliis  omission  of  your  having 
refused  to  report  to  me,  while  it  most  completely  exonerates  me  from  any  cen- 
sure on  account  of  the  omission  alledged,  does  not  so  clearly  effect  the  object  for 
which  it  was  designed,  i'ou  offer  it  as  the  answer  to  two  questions  thus  stated 
by  yourself. 

"  You  will  probably  ask  why,  if  your  official  report  was  considered  incorrect, 
or  not  sufficiently  particular  in  its  details,  it  was  not  mentioned  to  you  at  the 
time,  and  why  it  has  been  permitted  to  remain  thus  long  without  explanation  or 
correction?" 

It  would  certainly  be  very  natural  to  ask  those  questions,  and  impartial  ob- 
servers would  hardly  consider  them  conclusively  answered  by  a  statement, 
that,  though  called  Ujwn,  yon  had  refused  to  report  to  the  officer  commanding 
the  expedition,  and  who  alone  was  to  make  the  report  which  you  now  seek  to 
correct.  Your  withholding  the  report  may  account  well  enough  for  the  alledged 
omission  in  the  official  statement ;  but  it  does  not  explain  why  that  omission 
was  not  pointed  out  at  the  time,  concerning,  as  it  did,  an  affair  so  important, 
that  it  is  a  "  sacred  duty"  to  your  companions  to  adjust  it  now. 

As  to  the  second  of  the  two  questions,  the  answer  seems  particularly  defec- 
tive ;  nor  does  the  further  explanation  offered  appear  less  so.  It  seemed  a  small 
matter,  you  say,  not  worth  public  attention.  Has  the  death  of  Captain  Schenck 
increased  its  intrinsic  importance  ?  Did  the  publication  in  the  Courier  render 
your  duty  to  your  comrades  more  sacred  than  it  was  originally  ?  The  Courier 
said  nothing  of  the  details  of  the  action,  nor  of  the  subordinates  in  the  enter- 
prize.  It  spoke,  and  professed  to  speak,  only  of  the  share  of  the  commander. 
Even  of  him  the  writer  said  nothing  new — he  merely  quoted  from  an  article  in 
a  magazine  published  twenty  years  ago,  statements  which  have  been  before 
the  world  all  that  time,  and  open-  all  that  time  to  notice  and  animadversion. 
*  See  Major  Bankhead's  letter  in  Appendix. 


4^ 


'Oil  were  placed, 
in  order  that  I 
It  to  your  siipe- 
fore,  no  right  to 
f  which  I  could 
acts  must  defeat 
lore  generous — 
a  misapprehen- 
ces  of  which,  to 
,  endeavoring  to 
1  no  occasion  to 
ut  officci.-,,  were 
■d  as  privates  on 
rivilegc  by  lot — 
officer  was  my- 
when  the  latter 
■nee  have  been, 
d  have  been  un- 
^eneral  Scott ;  it 
bject;  and  it  is 
Lnowledge  of  all 
it  he  received  no 
quarter  to  which 
of  your  having 
le  fronn  any  cen- 
;ct  the  object  for 
itions  thus  stated 

iidered  incorrect, 
!d  to  you  at  the 
ut  explanation  or 

ind  impartial  ob- 
by  a  statement, 
icer  commanding 
yrou  now  seek  to 
1  for  the  alledged 
hy  that  omission 
air  so  important, 

V. 

irticularly  defec- 
[t  seemed  a  small 
Captain  Schenck 
e  Courier  render 
■f  ?  The  Courier 
ites  in  the  enter- 
'  the  commander, 
"rom  an  article  in 
lave  been  before 
limadversion. 


W 


It 

The  answer  to  the  second  question  will  appear  to  the  reader  quite  "la  unsatis- 
fiictory  as  the  answer  to  the  first. 

I  have  always  respectml  and  Iwrne  cheerful  testimony  to  your  gallantry  and 
services,  and  I  certainly  feel  not  the  slightest  inclination  to  do  otherwise  now. 
But  your  intimation  made,  as  if  disparagingly,  that  tny  boat's  party  hud  more 
luck  than  fighting,  while  that  to  which  you  were  atta':hed  met  with  a  desperate 
resistance,  will  excuse  me  for  reminding  you  that  an  enemy  is  never  surprised, 
except  by  thos  who  exert  activity  and  prompt  energy.  That  the  two  boats 
had  an  equal  force  of  fifty  men  each.  That  I  assigned  to  the  boat  in  which  you 
were  the  ea&ier  cask  of  capturing  a  trading  vessel  defended  by  twelve  men,  in- 
cluding officers,  with  two  small  guns  and  small  arms  only,  while  I  chose  for  my 
own  object,  a  public  armed  brig  mounting  six  guns,  with  a  crew  of  fifty-six 
men,  directed  by  naval  discipline.  How  long  your  boat  was  occupied  by  her 
task  you  can  best  tell.  That  both  boats  succeeded,  the  public  know.  But  that 
our  effecting  a  surprise  implies  the  absence  of  resistance,  is  very  far  from  the 
fact. 

I  was  myself  assailed  by  three  men,  armed  with  cutlasses,  at  the  moment 
when  I  sprung  on  the  deck,  and  the  surprise  gained  us  nothing,  except  a  hand- 
to-hand  fight  with  an  enemy  superior  in  numbers.  In  the  official  report  equal 
credit  is  given  to  both  boats ;  or,  if  there  be  any  difference,  yours,  which  had 
the  easiest  task,  has  the  advantage  in  the  report  also.  I  an.  not  criticising  nor 
attempting  to  refute  your  communication,  but  merely  touching  here  and  there 
upon  such  points  as  appear  singular  or  prominent,  and  i  do  not,  therefore,  at- 
tempt to  notice  now  all  your  remarks,  nor  to  correct,  by  my  official  records, 
the  errors  into  which  you  have  fallen.  I  deprecate  controversy  at  all  times,  and 
certainly  not  less  with  an  officer  of  your  standing  and  character  with  whom  I 
have  been  associated  in  youthful  enterprize,  and  I  trust  that  no  real  cause  will 
ever  occur  to  cloud  the  friendly  relations  which  have  so  long,  as  1  flattered  ray- 
self,  existed  between  us. 

The  present  is  not  a  subject  on  which  a  difference  could  gracefully  arise,  nor 
am  I  able  to  perceive  how  any  good  can  possibly  accrue  to  your  bringing  it  be- 
fore the  public.  But  of  that  I  am  not  to  be  the  judge,  nor  will  I  obtrude  any 
advice  on  the  subject.  As  I  remarked  in  the  commencement,  these  observa- 
tions are  entirely  at  your  disposal. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  D.  ELLIOTT. 


Wa8kingto»,  July  18,  1835. 
jR)  Comntodore  J.  D.  Elliott, 

air — I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  12th,  in  answer  to  mine  of  the  6th 
instant.  I  regret  that  you  should  have  misunderstood  my  object  in  addressing 
you.  It  was  not  to  complain  of  your  official  report,  and  request  you  to  supply  the 
deficiency  now :  it  was,  simply,  to  offer  you  the  opportunity  of  correcting,  your- 
self, that  part  of  the  publication  I  enclosed  to  you,  that  relates  to  the  capture 
of  the  Caledonia,  and  which  ascribes  to  you  acts  that,  from  the  circumstances 
of  the  case,  could  not  have  been,  and,  as  you  know,  were  not  performed  by 
you.  I  referred  to  your  official  report  to  show  that  it  is  not  alone  sufficient  to 
refute  the  statement;  but,  by  its  omissions,  rather  sustains  it.  I  expressly 
disclaimed  all  right  to  complain  of  those  omissions,  as  I  declined  furnishing  you 
3 


/ 


vj 


il 


.4  Tld  ^y  i.  r.  no.  ,»,  p™«l.c.  „o,  w„uM  i.  .c-W.<^.^»;  «  "     . 
to  L,  public  ..ttntion.  unnccmily.  to  .cl,.i,.  .n  wh..!.  ,ou  to..  »u 
„<^  i„V  ..,.i»  of  yo.,  country.     In  thi.  .»  V™'  "■""      '^^  °.i.     .n, 
Ulic  "Kntton,  un„.,...«ily,"  to  yo„,  .«,».,  » J  ' ''»  ~J  ' ' ; ''"^'^ 
L.  in.Wi...y  in  you.  "«'W»8''.  "■""••"•  """'i^,     '„-.     Son,,  un. 

ble  in  me  to  wear  your  honors,  as  it  would  to  wear  Jo-'J^^l'^^ 

T  Hi.l  not  ask    nor  did  I  expect  you  to  publish  my  letter.     I  went  somewn 
into      t  U  imnieatin/facts'that  would  have  been  stated  in  my  report    U 
;tad  made  one  to  you;  believing  you  would  pre,^r  -— 'n  •     -f ' 
such  of  them  to  the  public  as  you  knew  to  be  correct.     You  knew,  lor  , 

hat  y  u  d  d  not  communicate  with  our  boat  after  we  separatea  on  leavmg  Buf^ 
alo  Creek  You  knew  our  boat  boarded  and  carried  tne  Caledonia  after  a  sharp 
onrttt  before  yo,.  captured  the  Detroit;  and  I  presume  you  must  have  known 
It  S  m  ts'ef  the  bris  the  next  morning,  w.th  the  prisoners  and  seamen 
1  aLTonimy  comm^enced  firingon  her;  and  that  the  ;r.lle^  ~^^^^ 
on  board    'anded  the  greater  part  of  the  cargo,  and  brought  the  vessel  i 

ho^    and  yl  certainly  know  that  you  intended  she  should  be  ^"-  •  -  -' 
Is  the  Detroit    to  prevent  the  enemy's  getting  possession  of  her;  and  that  she 
:::^  W  LAurnt  .  I  l^.  P^mitted  y---^- ^ t tng^^ 

^T  --'S^^'  Wh  t  "r:  mT b^  re^n  Mr.  Watt,  the 
;r :  ;t.  f  torthe  practicabnity  of  reaching  the  Caledonia,  on  accour.. 
Tf  tli.  c  r™nt    could  not  have  been  known  to  you,  unless  comm.uucated  by 

tP^^^^^^  the  brig  could  not  be  approached,  and  altliou^h 
Ihe  event  proved  he  was  wrong,  the  difficulty  in  doing  it  showed  that  ho  had 

^t  yl't— t?!  my  letter,  you  say-"  It  here  seems  throughout 
vour  Lt    r,  and  especially  the  latter  portion  of  (it,]  a  disposition  to  depreciate 
Tmer  ts  of  the  euterprL  referred  to,  aitd  to  decry  the  part  taken  by  its  con- 
ductor        am  reluctant  to  suppose  this  is  prompted  by  any  feehngs  akin  to 
ho   il  ty    and  I  regret  to  observe  it."    I  will  be  candid  with  you  on  t  a 
as  on  every  other' subject.     I  do  think  that  you  might  have  ™  «  grea  e 
Efforts  to  have  brought  the  Detroit  into  harbor  before  you  abandone    her    tha^ 
the  circumstances  under  which  she  was  burnt,  if  such  as  to  justify  the  act    AA 
Tt  mpedously  require  it,  and  that  it  was  not  in  keeping  with  the  chivalrou. 
;    in7which  L.W  plan  and  execute  so  hazardous  an  enterprl^e  as  the  boa  d^ 
twiTh  an  inferior  force,  and  capturing  -'a  public  armed  brig    mounting  six 
JL    with  a  crew  of  fifty-six  men  directed  by  naval  discipline. 
' Tom^  X  I^alt  I  was'appUed  to,  by  a  personal  friend  of  Commodore  Perry. 


-.*i..WiiiTi«.ii.ani'  ifffi  II  .1111 1  il* lil'ii'fi'  iiiW'""'' 


15 


B  uraleMtand,  that 
ttve  been  no  delay 

any  thing  on  the 
vith  your  leclinKs, 
^ou  have  been  en- 
nds  have  "  forced 
not  piTceive  any 
f  they  claimed  lor 
'  tninc.  Some  un. 
in  Ohio,  in  which 
iring  me  credit  that 
Id  be  as  dishonora- 

>arcl. 

I  vk'ent  somewhat 
;ed  in  my  reiwrt,  if 
iinicating,  yourself, 
knew,  for  instance, 
ited  on  leaving  Buf- 
ledoiiia  alter  a  sharp 
lu  must  have  known 
isoners  and  seamen, 
e  artillery  remained 
It  the  vessel  near  in 
Id  be  burnt,  as  well 
)f  her ;  and  that  she 
je  executed-     These 
lence  of  a  single  and 
tveen  Mr.  Watts,  the 
Caledonia,  on  accoimt, 
3B  commimicated  by 
i  say  any  thing  about 
boarders  that  captur- 
and  not  to  you ;  and 
A-ish  to  do  Mr.  Watts 
inched,  and  although 
t  showed  that  ho  had 

re  seems  throughout 
position  to  depreciate 
part  taken  by  its  con- 
any  feelings  akin  to 
did  with  you  on  that 
it  have  made  greater 
u  abandoned  her ;  that 
to  justify  the  act,  did 
Z  with  the   chivalrous 
iterprize  as  the  board- 
led  brig,  mounting  six 
;ipline." 
of  Commodore  Perry, 


for  a  statement  of  the  facts  contained  in  the  last  paragraph,  to  be  used  to  your 

prejudice,  in  th'?  controversy  then  pending  between  you;  but  I  refused  to  give 
it;  iniurniitig  him  tiiat  I  had  no  «/AW«/  claim  on  you,  as  he  supposed,  for  ne- 
glecting nie  in  your  report ;  and  tliat  the  fact  of  your  planning  anil  undertaking 
so  hazardouH  iui  ent^rprize  removed  from  my  mind  all  suspicion  of  what,  many 
of  Commodore  Perry's  friends  seemed  to  8up|M>»e,  hud  prevented  your  aiding 
him  in  the  action  on  Lake  Krie,  as  he  expected.  Candor  requires  nie  to  say 
that  I  then,  and  until  lately,  did  believe  the  Detroit  was  commanded  by  a  re- 
gular officer  of  the  British  navy.  If  such  was  not  the  fact,  as  I  am  informed, 
and  that  the  commander  was  your  relative,  the  enterprize,  in  my  judgment, 
loses  much  of  its  daring  character. 

I  did  not  expect,  nor  did  I  wish,  iuiy  thing  to  be  said  in  correcting  the  article 
of  which  1  complain,  that  would  detract  from  the  credit  the  public  have  award- 
ed you  so  far  as  relates  to  the  Detroit,  and  planning  the  cHi>ture  of  the  other 
brig.  My  object  in  submitting  to  you  a  comparison  of  the  service  performed 
by  the  two  |)arties,  was  to  show  that,  although  you  undertook  that  which  ap- 
peared to  be  infniitely  the  more  hazardous,  it  did  not  turn  out  to  be  so ;  and,  as 
the  result  shows,  our  boat  had  its  full  share  of  fighting  and  danger.  It  was  not 
your  fault,  but  your  good  fortune,  that  your  adi'ersary  was  not  more  vigilant; 
that  he  permitted  you  to  make  a  prize  of  him  at  the  cost  of  one  man  "  lost" 
and  "  one  officer  wounded,''  instead  of  aimihilating  you,  as  he  had  the  power 
to  do  with  his  superior  force  and  advantages,  and  as  I  believe  would  have  been 
<lone  had  he  been  a  regular  officer  of  the  British  navy,  especially  alter  know- 
ing by  what  occurred  to  our  boat,  that  an  enemy  was  near  him. 

I  cannot  allow  that  time  cancels  the  claims  of  truth  and  justice ;  and  that  a 
report  which  remains  unquestioned,  until  "  it  becomes  history,"  cannot  be  al- 
tered by  its  author.  But  my  business  is  not  with  your  report,  but  with  the 
statement  of  an  anonymous  writer,  who  now  claims  for  you  all  merit  in  rela- 
tion to  this  matter,  some  of  which  I  think  belongs  to  others.  You  think  it  too 
late  to  relinquish  it,  as  the  writer  has  said  nothing  new  of  you,  "he  merely 
quoted  from  an  article  in  a  magazine,  imblished  twenty  years  ago,  statements 
that  have  been  before  the  world  all  that  time,  and  open  all  that  time  to  notice 
and  animadversion."  I  know  that  legal  claims  are  sometimes  barred,  on  ac- 
count of  time,  by  legislative  enactments ;  but  I  believe  there  is  no  limitation 
known  to  the  moral  code  or  to  courts  of  honor.  Until  I  saw  the  publication, 
copied  from  the  Courier,  I  did  not  know  that  your  biography  had  ever  been 
■written ;  much  less  that  it  contained  such  a  statement,  or  I  assure  you  I  should 
not  now  be  taunted  with  having  let  the  subject  rest  for  twenty  years ;  for,  al- 
though I  deprived  myself  of  the  right  to  complain  of  the  official  injustice  of 
the  omissions  in  your  report,  I  <iever  had  a  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  resisting 
the  attempt,  of  any  one,  to  deprive  me  of  a  just  right. 

You  say — "  It  is  not  apparent,  sir,  that  you  even  reported  to  General  Scctt. 
It  is  certain,  at  least,  that  he  has  made  no  statement  on  the  subject,  and  it  is 
inconsistent  with  his  high,  generous  character,  and  perfect  knowledge  of  all 
military  duty,  to  ascribe  his  silence  to  any  other  cause  than  that  he  received  no 
report  from  you,  or  that  he  justly  considered  himself  not  the  quarter  to  which 
it  should  have  been  sent."  How  have  you,  sir,  arrived  at  the  certainty  "  that 
he  never  made  no  statement  on  the  subject?"  You  recollect  the  battle  of 
Queenstown  followed  soon  after  the  capture  of  the  brigs.  Our  detachment  was 
put  in  motion  immediately  after  I  joined  it,  and  from  that  time  until  we  arrived 
at  Queenstown,  where  tliis  distinguished  officer  was  captured,  he  had  no  time  to 


wfyN 


16 

mak.  a  ron„rt.  Tho  foUovving  extract  from  one  of  his  letter,  to  me  .how,  that, 
Iho  .m  ;i..l.yo.l  hy  his  rapture,  it  wa.  not  neglccte.l.  ■•  In  that  ett.r  (refer- 
t^a  prevfon.  oIa  1  inform...  you  of  a  oonvcrBation  ha.,  w.t  t..e  secretary 
up,'ntheLbi..ctofthe  capture  of  the  British  v.seU  .rom  ""'>-  ^^  J;' J^ 
and  of  the  .listinguished  part  which  you  hore  in  tl'"""'  -[V''-  ,  ":,~ 
you  entitle,!  to  a  l.n.t.  This  was  on  tho  way  (ron,  Ph.la.lelph.a  to  Balnm.,r  . 
At  Waslunuton,  I  recalle.l  his  attention  to  the  subject  m  a  strong  w"tten  state- 
^ent     i  hivo  no  .loubt  the  commission  will  issue,  and  I  trust  w.thout  lurther 

'''TLbrevet  he  mentions  has  been  conferred;  and  i,  one  by  which  1  obtained 

"^  ^;i;r;L;;tl.  your  attention  to  tho  charge  of  officer,  of  the  army  having 
served  with  you  as  privates.     This  is  not  tho  f.rst  t.me  you  have     s  d    ha 
argument,  and  retracted  it  in  the  way  1  shall  now  state.        ou  reeo  le  t  that 
you  haud.:..  me  the  pri.e-tiekets  for  my  comn.an.l  at  Fort  ('-^«;.     ''"^  '''^^ 
Lt  I  would  find  mine  with  the  rest ;  I  put  the  bundle  ,n  n.y  P"^'^^*-  «"    j; 
senarat-.l      When  I  came  to  examine  then,,  I  foun.l  my  rank  was  not  recog- 
„:Sn  the  ticket.     Supposing  .t  to  be  a  mistake,  1  laid  it  by  u...    I  s  o.jU 
aeaiu  meet  with  you,  or  have  an  opportunity  for  explanation.     ^^  e  met,  for 
E   fi'r^me  affer  the  receipt  of  the  ticket,  at  General  Scotts  marque    at 
Buffalo.     Knowing  that  I  was  to  meet  you.  I  put  the  t.cket  -  -n-'^^^ 
Wh.nwe  m..t,  I  required  an  explanation,   remarkn.g  at  the  same  tim  .,  that 
^.hen  I  embarked  n>  the  expedition,  I  .lid  not  .Iream  ot  pr.z.-money ;  am.  .the 
rbTe  t  in  assigning  to  me  tho  share  of  a  private  was  to  increase  the  amount  to 
bo  dvide.l  among  the  other  captors,  I  would  make  you  a  comp l.meut  of  the 
wh riffering  you  the  ticket ;  but  that  before  I  could  h..ld  .Viendly  mtercourse 
^ith  Vu   I  musf  know  why  it  was  that  1  had  been  designate     as  a  pr.vate^ 
Yu  then  explained,  that  under  the  regulations  of  the  navy,  at  the  t.me  the 
ticket  was  ma.lo  out,  you  were  not  privileged  to  g.ve  any  other;  b..t  that  the 
gu lation  had  since  blon  changed,  and  youwe.ethenatlibertytodomejUBt.ee, 
by  recognizing  my  rank  in  another  ticket,  which  you  soon  aiterwards  sent 

*°  You  will  recollect,  that  at  a  s..bsequent  meeting  I  reft.sed  to  receive  your 
offered  hand,  and  to  hold  intercourse  with  you,  ..ntil  I  ascorta.ned  by  .nqu.ry  at 
the  Navy  Dpartment,  that  there  was  no  established  rule  for  d.stnbut.ng  pme- 
m  ney  to  trorps  serving  with  the  navy  at  the  date  of  the  first  t.ckot.  I  ..not 
Then  nor  do  I  now.  think  this  a  full  justification  of  your  course ;  for  although 
you  were  not  expressly  directed  to  give  to  the  officers  of  the  army  t.ckots  cor 
responding  with  their  ..nk,  you  were  not  prohibit,.!  from  do.ng  so ;  an.t,  at  least, 
it  was  due  to  them,  as  an  act  of  courtesy,  to  expla.n  why  you  d.d  not. 

Tyou  suppose,  sir,  that  officers  of  tho  army  have  so  l.ttle  ..M.re.venth.i 
theVXl  consent  to  serve  as  privates  in  their  proper  commands,  for  the  honor 
and  advantage  of  officers  of  the  navy?   If  there  had  been  mar.nes,  whose  ser- 
vices you  co^ld  .o^W,  would  you  have  expected  their  officers  to  have  served 
with  them  as  privates  ?  Or  did  you  expect  an  officer  of  the  army  would  consent, 
or  be  required,  to  furnish  you  his  command,  without  accompany.ng  .t  on  such  a 
service  '  As  the  detachment  of  artillery  required  on  that  occasion  was  less  than 
a  captain's  command,  General  Scott  suggested  that  it  should  be  furn.shed  by  the 
two  companies,  in  equal  proportions,  and  the  command  be  given  to  the  adjutan 
of  the  detachment,  the  gallant,  and  afterwards  eminently  d.st.ng.nshed,*  Major 
♦  See  letters  of  Genera!  Smyth  and  Major  Bankhead  in  Appendix. 


MMMtWMMfy** 


)  me,  »how»  that, 
hat  Ipttor  in-l'rr- 
,ilh  the  secretary 
iiidcr  Fort  Eric, 
izp.  He  thought 
)hia  to  Baltimore, 
onu  written  state- 
it  without  further 

■  which  1  obtained 

■  the  army  having 
au  have  used  that 
Vou  reeollcct  that 
Jeorge,  remarking 
ly  pocket,  and  we 
Ilk  was  not  rccog- 

l)y  until  I  should 
ion.    We  met,  for 
Scotfs  marque,  at 
:ket  in  my  l>ocket. 
i»e  same   time,  that 
■-money  ;  and  if  tho 
L-ase  the  amount  to 
eomplimeiit  of  the 
friendly  intercourse 
;nated  as  a  private. 
ry,  at  the  time  the 
other;  but  that  the 
erty  to  do  me  justice, 
DOn  alterwards  sent 

sed  to  receive  your 
rtained  by  inquiry  at 
"or  distributing  prize- 
irst  ticket.     I  did  not 
course;  for  although 
the  army  tickets  cor- 
loingso;  and,  at  least, 
you  did  not. 
ittlc  self-respect  that 
mmands,  for  the  honor 
1  marines,  whose  ser- 
officers  to  have  served 
e  army  would  consent, 
impanying  it  on  such  a 
occasion  was  less  than 
uld  be  furnished  by  the 
e  given  to  the  adjutant 
T  distinguished,*  Major 

d  in  Appendix. 


17 

Roach,  against  which  Captain  Barker  and  myself  remonstrated  in  the  most  de- 
cided terni.H,  notwithstanding  the  entire  confiilcnee  we  Imd  in  that  oineer,  and 
the  strong  friendship,  (not  to  say  broth.rly  atfcction,)  we  entertained  for  him. 
Nay,  so  tenacious  were  Captain  Barker  and  myself  on  that  point,  that  had  the 
rank  been  settled  between  us,  we  should  have  considered  it  derogatory  to  have 
waived  the  rlnini  of  seniority ;  but  as  it  was  nut,  we  ageed  to  ilieide  it  by  lot. 
No  officer  of  the  artny,  who  is  worthy  to  hold  a  commission,  would  consent  to 
•erve  in  the  rtiiilx  with  his  own  men,  for  thi-  purpose  of  increasing  a  naval  com- 
mand; such  a  proposition  is  too  absurd -to  rc(|uire  refutation.  My  understanding 
was,  that  the  command  of  the  seamen,  and  every  thing  relating  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  iMiat,  and  to  the  navigation  of  the  brig,  alter  capture,  belongi-il  to 
Mr.  Watts;  but  th.^  entire  command  of  the  troops  beloiig(-d  to  me.  If  you  are 
correct  as  to  the  condition.s  on  which  the  otiicers  of  the  army,  who  had  com- 
mands, volunteered,  why  did  you  not  maintain  it  when  I  8pt)ke  to  you  aliou 
the  prize-ticket  ?  Why  did  you  change  that  given  to  private  Towson,  for  one 
as  "  captain?" 

I  do  not  agree  that  I  was  bound  to  report  to  you  after  I  landed.  My  com- 
mand, it  is  true,  performed  a  siilnirdinate  duty  ;  but  tf  it  deserved  praise  or  cen- 
sure, it  was  to  be  received  from  our  military  superiors.  It  was  proper  that  our 
conduct  should  be  ri'presenied  to  the  War  Department ;  and  you  were  not  tho 
channel  of  comnnmieation.  The  rule  on  this  subject,  both  in  the  army  and 
navy,  is  too  well  settled  to  be  questioned  now. 

I  will  say  one  word  in  relation  to  your  rejiort.  Although  I  had  no  official 
claim  on  you  for  more  notice  than  you  bestowed  on  my  comman<l,  I  should  have 
felt  deeply  nmrtified  at  having  dealt  as  sparinirly  with  you,  had  I  been  in  your 
place,  and  made  a  report  with  the  same  knowledge  of  facts. 

I  have  commented  at  great  length  on  your  letter,  and  with  plainness,  imder 
the  belief,  that  between  gentlemen  of  our  profession  there  should  be  perfect 
frankness. 

r  deprecate  controversy  as  much  as  you  can,  and  regretted  the  suspension  of 
our  friendly  intercourse  heretofore,  as  I  do  on  this  occasion.  You  seem  to  tliink 
it  never  was  suspended ;  whether  it  is  to  be  renewed  hereafter,  must  depend  on 
yoursfdf. 

It  is  my  present  intention  to  claim  for  my  command  what  I  think  belongs  to 
it,  by  a  brief  statement  in  the  public  prints ;  and  to  disclaim  what  has  been  im- 
properly taken  from  you  and  given  to  me.  I  have  no  wish  to  trouble  the  public 
with  this  correspondence,  unless  circumstances  should  make  it  necessary,  but 
leave  you  at  perfect  liberty  to  do  so  if  you  think  proper. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  TOWSON. 


U.    S.    FnifiATE    CoMSTlTlTION,        | 

New  York  II.iukok,  July  23,  1S3.5.  ) 
To  General  Nathan  Towson, 

Sir — Your  letter  of  the  18th  inst.  reached  me  yesterday.     The  perusal  of 

it  gave  me  surprise  as  well  as  pain.     It  was  painful  to  see  an  officer  of  your 

reputation  involve  himself  in  what  I  must  call  so  discreditable  a  manner.     I 

felt  surprise,  that  neither  your  experience  nor  your  counsellors  had  been  able 

to  save  you  from  the  misfortune.     You  have  placed  yourself  in  a  predicament 

so  unfortunate,  that  I  believe  no  gentleman  or  officer  ever  incurred  the  like ; 

and  you  appear  resolved  to  force  me  to  exhibit  you  thus  to  the  public.     Your 


"IV* 


iirtfaiTiiff"  ~  '^"'' 


J 


:! 


18 

reputation  airribos  iiitplligenro  to  you  ot  loust ;  nnd  I  fofl  aitoninhpil  that,  aftHf 
my  Ifttcr  of  the  lyth,  you  should  prrHCviTP  in  udvaniin«  thf  ulnunl  ilainw  ibr 
whiih  vou  oprii.Ml  thi^.  .orivsiio.Kl.'iio-.  Whcth.T  your  il.Mimnd  was  proinptod 
hy  tvnt\f»»  viiruty  uloiic,  uml  you  liin.if.l  lliut  you  miiiht  iryaiii  puldic  ulti'iition, 
nnd,  i)rrhupH,  m.ni.'  »li«lit  addilionul  <r-dit.  or  wh.'thrr  you  w.-r.-  uru.-.l  on  hy 
wmifi  dmiicninu  perwuw  ol  niori-  lai.-nt  than  honrnty,  i»  ot  littUi  nioninit ;  in 
eith.-r  cum',  it  i»  vrry  utrunKe  that,  alter  ri-adinu  my  letter,  youdi.l  not  p.-rciive 
that  it  would  I).'  prutl.-nt  lor  you  to  U't  the  ulFair  rrsf  unstirred.  I  showed  you, 
as  dolirutely  u»  1  lould,  how  latal  th.'  dini  imsion  u|)..ii  the  oluim-s  you  u.lvaiu ed 
must  he  to  your  reputation,  and  intimated  my  willintness  to  h'uve  you  sale  in 
iti  oblivion.  You  appear  to  have  been  either  incapable  of  roriiprehendini!  your 
danser,  and  to  listen  only  to  the  craving  Ibr  notoriety,  or  to  have  been  impelled 
forward  by  hostility  to  me,  wh.'lhei  of  your  own,  or  of  some  one  who  does  not 
appear.  The  general  einumsfaiu^eH  M'vm  to  indieate  the  lormer— the  tenor  ol 
your  letters,  especially  the  last,  iioints  to  the  latter.  He  it  whi.h  it  may.  I  am 
inditrerent ;  no  one  can  know  you  better  than  yoursell ;  and  it  I  .judjie  you  by 
your  own  showina  in  these  letters,  you  are  not  one  whom  I  would  ever  call 
friend.  You  must  pardon  my  plainness,  sir ;  I  write  frankly,  and  employ  no 
attorney— for  J  at  least  have  no  .i/m-ml  pleailinif  to  do.  I  used  what  measure 
of  courtesy  I  could  comiiasg  in  my  former  letter;  the  tenor  of  your  reply,  and 
the  liuht  in  which  you  there  exhibit  yourself,  will  excuse  me  from  any  etfbrt 
now  to  NMap  up  honest  ..leaninus  in  courtly  phrases;  nor  eun  I  spare  time  to 
folfow  you  throuuhall  the  petty  points  of  y<mf  pleadina;  the  principal  ones  I 
will  di8iH)Si!  of  as  brielly  as  may  be,  leaving  the  straws  to  iloat  or  sink  with 
them.  The  chief  subjects  on  which  we  are  at  issue  are  very  few ;  the  capacity 
in  which  you  attended  the  expedition  is  the  most  prominent.  I  have  asserted 
that  you  went  as  a  private;  you  distinctly  and  deliberut.ly  aliirm  that  you 
commanded  the  soldiers— and  on  this,  and  one  other  point,  turns  the  diseussion. 
1  will  not  cloud  it  by  circumlocution,  but  will  meet  your  assertion  by  a  direct 
contradiction,  and  by  indisputable  evidence. 

1  need  not  copy  your  statement.  an<l  the  expfanations  civen  to  support  it; 
mine  i.i  this:  by  the  copies  of  letters  from  (;<Tieral  Van  Uensselear  to  .Major 
General  Hall  and  myself,  which  are  annexed,  you  will  perceive  that  1  could 
have  had  militia ;  but  knowini;  that  they  had  wives  and  families,  and  that  the 
regular  troops  for  the  most  part  had  not,  I  concluded  to  take  the  latter,  and 
applied  lor  the  loan  of  some,  witliont  officer.'!,  who  could  rank  my  subordinates, 
as  I  dcsiKued  the  latter  to  retain  the  command.  The  general  acceded  to  my 
request,  and  directed  his  brigade-major  to  detail  the  troops,  which  were  placed 
under  Ensign  Prestman,  and  were  commanded  by  him.  I  annex  an  extract 
from  the  letter  of  the  brigade-major  himself,  and  the  letter  from  the  general, 
brought  by  Knsign  Prestman,  to  prove  these  facts.  You  and  Captain  Barker 
volunteered  as  privates ;  one  only  was  accepted— and  the  lot  fell  on  you.  You 
went  as  a  private,  under  Ensign  Prestman,  who  commanded  the  troops.  The 
same  evidence  will  estabii.sh  these  facts  also.  If  it  does  not  establish  them  all, 
I  have  no  other  testimony,  save  my  own  wor.l,  in  my  possession.  But  it  must ; 
it  is  irrefragable.  You  dare  not  contradict  .Major  Bankhcad;  you  cannot  contra- 
dict the  letter  ol  General  Smyth,  written  at  the  very  time,  and  showing  beyond 
(juestion.  that  Prestman  was  designated  for  the  command,  and  brought  me  tha 
troops.  If  it  'foes  establish  them,  ut  what  liijht  do  you  standi  After  you  were 
reminded  of  these  facts,  and  had  ample  opportunity  to  consult  records,  as  well 
as  your  memory,  you  deliberately  assert,  and  through  pages  endeavor  to  prove, 


»  t 


■T»« 


19 


inii>hi>(l  that,  alter 

ulmiinl  ('Uini4  tor 
iicl  WHS  proniploJ 
II  piihlio  atti-iilioii, 
■(■rf  urunl  oil  l>y 
ittl«  iiiiiniriit :  in 
lU  (lid  not  p«riTive 
1.  I  nhowed  you, 
inn  you  uilvuiui'd 
Iruvc  you  Kul'i!  iu 
nprctii-ndiiiii  your 
ive  been  iiiipi'll''il 
one  who  diM'H  not 
nor — tht!  tenor  of 
hii  li  il  iiiuy.  I  am 
I  I  judue  you  by 
would  ever  cull 
I,  and  i-riiploy  no 
ed  what  incasurc 
I'  your  reply,  «ud 
ic  Ironi  any  t'Hbrt 
,n  I  npuro  time  to 
!•  principal  onen  I 
loiit  or  Hiiik  with 
lew ;  the  ciipacity 
1  have  anserted 
y  atflrin  that  you 
riis  the  disriisKion. 
ertioii  by  a  direct 

/en  to  support  it; 
nsrtclear  to  Major 
i-eivo  that  1  could 
ilics,  and  that  the 
tke  the  latter,  and 
;  my  subordinates, 
■al  acceded  to  my 
/hich  were  placed 
annex  an  extract 
from  the  Reneral, 
id  Captain  Barker 
fell  on  you.  You 
the  troops.  The 
establish  them  all, 
lion.  But  it  must ; 
you  cannot  contra- 
i)d  showinj;  beyond 
d  brought  me  the 
f  .■"  After  you  were 
,t  records,  as  well 
endeavor  to  prove, 


that  you  went  ill  rommand  of  the  troops— and  all  for  the  purpoie  of  effectinc 
the  |HHir  Hilienie,  prompted  by  some  ilesiKiiini:  knave,  or  your  own  vanity,  of 
UettiiiK  a  dispute  with  me,  or  ionic  additional  credit  for  yourself 

Your  stuiid,  sir,  in  the  iitlitiide  ol  one  who  has  made  a  well  con.'idered.  do- 
liberate  ahHcrtioii,  to  his  own  profit  and  the  injury  of  others,  uikI  then  has  th« 
utter  incorrectness  of  his  assertion  /imvei/  by  the  dearest  and  most  diriM't  evi- 
dence. It  is  an  unpleasant  attitude  for  un  olHcer  and  a  uentlemaii.  I  would,  if  I 
could,  supiHise  that  you  believed  your  statement  yourself,  but  the  facts  do  not 
warrant  the  assumption ;  they  are  not  of  the  kind  about  which  one  could  mis- 
take. You  complain  of  my  report.  If  you  went  as  a  private,  that  document 
gave  you  even  more  than  your  full  rhare  of  praise,  if  you  commanileil  the 
troops,  the  (piestion  will  still  arise,  why  have  twenty-three  years  been  sutfered 
to  pass  without  an  ed'ort  from  you  to  claim  what  you  say  was  due  to  you  f  But 
you  urn-  then  a  private,  and  your  assi'rtion  of.the  <i>ntrary  now  is  as  unworthy 
and  unfortunate,  as  it  is  foreign  from  truth.  I  must  place  Ibis  ixuiit  stronuly, 
unwilliiiK  as  I  am  to  see  General  Townson  take  such  a  position,  because  on  this 
depends  really  the  whole  controversy,  for  it  is  the  foundation  of  it.  If  your 
word  is  tJood  on  this  point,  atjainst  the  clearest  evidence,  it  is  good  for  all  the 
rest  also — fiiil  iiul  olherwinr. 

It  would  have  been  well,  sir,  had  you  comprehended  the  tenor  of  my  former 
letter,  for  it  might  have  saved  you.  1  intimated  clearly  enough,  though  deli- 
cately, that  my  real  reason  lor  declining  the  step  you  pro|X)sed  was  my  liiow 
UiIki-  that  your  statement  was  not  true,  and  it  is  unlucky  that  you  did  not  un- 
derstand me.  Ymi  are  provi^d  now,  sir,  to  have  stated  deliberately  and  re|M'at- 
edly  what  was  untrue.  Hut  there  is  more  in  it— and  the  di'gree  of  stolidity 
e.xhibited  in  your  course  is  absolutely  unexampled.  If  1  could  be  persuaded 
tliaf  you  hud,  alter  sailing,  assumed  the  command  of  the  bout,  I  should  be  forced 
to  condemn  you  even  more  severely,  il  that  were  possible,  than  I  do  now.  If 
you  are  correct  on  that  iioint,  you  not  only  broke  an  engagement  to  which  your 
honor  was  pledged,  but  you  were  guilty  of  insubordination  and  mutiny,  lor 
which  you  might  even  now  bo  brought  to  a  Court  Martial.  You  were  accepted 
only  as  a  private ;  by  olTering  as  such  you  virtually  pledged  your  honor  that 
you  would  act  as  such,  and  would  not  use  your  authority  with  the  soldiers  to 
take  the  command.  We  were  wrong,  then,  in  trusting  you,  and  you  broke 
your  word  of  honor,  to  your  general,  to  his  brigade-major,  and  to  your  equally 
brave,  but  I  hope  more  trustworthy  competitor.  Captain  Barker.  All  this  re- 
sults, if  we  believe  your  assertion  that  you  a.ssumed  the  command.  But  there 
is  more— the  terms  on  which  you  went  made  you  a  private  for  the  time — if  you 
got  the  command  you  were  guilty  of  insubordination  to  the  extent  that  consti- 
tutes miiiiiiy,  and  your  moral  crime  was  quite  us  great  as  though  you  owned  no 
commission,  and  cannot  be  atoned  for,  if  it  can  even  be  palliated,  by  the  result 
of  the  expedition. 

You  have  had  the  credit,  sir,  of  volunteering  on  a  dangerous  enterprize  as  a 
private  when  you  could  not  go  as  an  officer,  ajid  your  vanity,  or  your  managers, 
have  prompted  you  to  reject  that,  and  to  claim  what  did  not  belong  to  you,  and 
even  is  not  merit,  though  you  deem  it  so.  You  would  persuade  us  that  you 
took  advantage  of  our  confidence  in  your  honor  to  get  among  us,  in  a  bout  in 
w  hich  /  was  nut.  and  to  snatch-  then  by  fraud  from  the  gallant  Prestman*  tht; 
honor  of  commanding  a  [Kirtion  of  the  victorious  party ;  and  your  tale  would 
rob,  also,  tht-  heroic  Watts  of  his  honors.  But  that,  sir,  it  xliall  not  effect.  I 
*  See  letters  of  General  Sniylh  and  Major  Bniikhead  in  Appendix. 


to 


xj' 


•tq  «h  yoti  intn  f»i»  fepilrhr^,  to  ili-frnil  what  yoii  would  wniirli  away,  and 
ii^ft-wd  hid  rinht*  ky  pmviiiff  your  tale  imtru*  I  wvp  •ven  you,  alw),  by 
reM  'ig  fl)*- crcHit  whi«4i  v^t  w«ilW  cliRoard — of  haviiiK  vciliiiitiMTi'd  nii  a  pri- 
vtte  uii;(''"r  •  »itW«linat#  ofhvet  It  ■  »  well  ilono,  lir,  unl  vull  huii  it  Wen 
ri'WardmM 

Another  primipal  prtint  is  at  to  tho  p>, s^-rvation  of  thi"  f'alpdnnia,  ami  the 
burning  of  thf  Detroit.  On  Jioth  thcte  yon  are  m  wid.-ly  in  error  .ih  in  the 
formiT,  and  thi«  (in  '  may  be  dinposi-d  of  in  fi-w  word*  You  nii«fBk<>  nitirely 
Kiy  roBnoti  for  biirniui;  fh.-  Detroit  I  had,  and  rould  have,  no  frar  that  the  ene- 
my would  remove,  i(  th.y  retook  he-  for  Hhe  wbb  riddled  with  ahot  ami  iiriuble 
^»  float;  xhe  hud  already  mink,  und  w  iiiriound.  full  of  water,  But  I  burned 
liM'f  to  »av»  Ihf  ffuu)  i»  hrr  hoht.  which  wire  irivniualile  tn  un.  Hud  her  rnaiitM 
been  lelt,  the  enemy  miuht  have  raised  uml  earrieil  tliem  off;  they  were  pr«- 
vented.  and  «ubHci|Uciitly  we  ererfed  Mhears  mid  not  out  the  ijunH. 

In  relation  to  the  other  brii;.  nUo,  you  ar(>  entirely  wrong,  I  never  hud  a 
thouKht  of  burnins  her  There  wan  no  orrnKJon  for  it,  as,  at  the  time  of  which 
you  speak,  she  lay  in  wifety  at  the  Navy  Yard,  under  prot»'ition  of  our  buttery. 
Besides,  iinvnl  olRoers  do  not  send  a  nameless  sailor  with  combustibles  and  a 
vfrlml  order,  as  you  allege,  to  burn  vessels  that  are  lying  in  perfect  safety.  The 
Drtrnit  was  burned  by  Captain  Chambers,  of  the  flth  Infantry,  at  my  reipiest. 
Your  recollection  is  ipiife  as  umortiuiate  on  this  point,  as  it  waa  relative  to  the 
ca|>acify  in  which  you  served  in  an  expedition  of  which  half  the  merit  you  claim 
to  yourself 

I  have  letter*  from  offirers,  eye  witnesses,  that  contradict  fo  the  letter  almost 
every  thing  you  alledge  respecting  the  closing  incidents  of  the  enterprise,  but 
they  would  occupy  uuich  N]iuce,  and  really  your  personal  testimony  does  not 
stand  in  that  degree  of  credit  that  might  require  corrolM)ration  of  my  own  op- 
|H>»ing  evidence,  and  of  that  of  circumstances,  and  we  may  pass  this  head  ni 
answered.  I  will  furnish  one  extiact,  hokvever,  to  show  that  I  had  no  rea.son 
for  burning  the  Caledonia,  as  I  did  not  believe  the  enemy  liad  lauded.  It  is 
from  the  letter  of  Major  Myers,  then  Captain  in  Ktth  Infantry.* 

I  have  thus  noticed  the  two  principal  .subjects  at  issue  between  us,  and  I  may 
presume  it  is  done  to  your  conviction,  if  not  to  your  satisfaction.  Ai  I  Mid 
above,  I  cannot  advert  to  every  minute  allegation  in  your  unfouunate  letter, 
but  a  few  I  may  take  up  to  use  as  specimens  of  the  rest. 

And  first,  you  state  that  the  bout  which  contained  the  party  that  atfncked  the 
Caleilonia  hud  no  comnnuiicntion  with  the  other  after  starting.  This  is  incor- 
rect ;  the  l)ont»  started  from  the  same  place,  at  the  same  time.  The  boat  in 
which  you  were,  was  steered  by  mine,  and  if  you  did  not  see  our  boat,  we  di»- 
tinguished  yours  quite  plainly.  Sailing  Master  Watts  had  his  instructions  to 
keep  near  my  boat,  to  board,  curry,  and  bring  over  to  Buffalo  the  brig  Hunter, 
which  the  Caledonia  was  supposed  to  be  Thus  your  inexperience  in  naval 
proceedings  but  serves  to  expose  your  presumption. 

You  argue,  for  several  pages,  that  it  was  imposaible  nnd  improb  1  th.il  you 
acted  as  a  private,  and  you  declare  that  "no  olRcer  of  the  army  \.ai  ■.  on'  ■, 
<o //oW  cowmf.MioM  would  consent  to  Sir ve  in  the  ranka  with  1  ■'■  .  ',  .:  <o 
increase  a  naval  command."     Perhaps  so.    I  differ  from  you  ;  b(  •  ^rov  •(■; 

that  you  did  that  very  thing— that  is,  that  you  eoiisental,  nay,  offered.  Hut  you 
say  you  violated  your  engagement !  This  is  hardly  worth  while,  but  if  affords 
occasion  to  notice  the  very  elaborate  argument  by  which  you  are  made  to  sua- 
•  See  letter  of  Capt.  Myers  in  Appendix. 


measi 


mmmmmMm 


wri-nrh  aw»y,  ami 
•vrn  yon,  alto,  by 
liiiitecri-d  Bi  a  pri- 
kI  well  ban  it  b«*'n 

('alp<lniiia,  and  the 
in  error  an  in  th« 
»u  niiitnk)'  ciilircly 
HI  fi'ar  that  thi«  cue- 
ith  ulidt  ami  nimble 
tfr.  Rut  I  liiirtii'il 
M.  Hull  her  inimtM 
)(F;  tlmy  wrra  pre- 
!Ulia. 

ig.  I  iK^ver  hull  a 
t  the  tiiiii'  of  which 
ion  of  our  buttery. 
'niiiliimtibli'H  and  a, 
perfect  safety.  The 
try,  at  my  re(]iieiit. 
wa«  relative  to  the 
the  merit  you  olaini 

fo  the  letter  almost 
the  enterpri/.e,  but 
testimony  diM>s  not 
tion  of  n)y  own  op- 
'  jNiss  this  head  ns 
at  I  had  MO  reaxon 
had   lunded.      It   is 

ivnen  uk,  and  I  may 

faetion.     As  I  said 

untb'.umate  letter, 

y  that  attacked  the 
ij;.  This  is  incor- 
ime.  The  boot  in 
e  our  I>o«t,  we  dis- 
his  instructions  to 
lo  the  bris;  Hunter, 
xperienoe  in  naval 

iiproh  t)'    that  you 
rmy  uiic  vs     orf'  / 
th  H-  ,  ', 
I  bi  '  ^ro',   1 , 

r,  offered.  Hut  you 
while,  but  it  affords 
J  are  made  to  sug- 


81 

fain  your  ....ertion  tlmt  ynu  went  in  command  „,  the  soldier.,  and  to  remark 
Km  CO„,pl..,.,,y  „ ,,,„„,„  „  .,,.,,,„.,  ,,y  „,^,  ^.^_^^^,^,  ,,^^^  ^,_^^  ^^.^^  ^^^^ 

hn.      It  would  seem  »Uumt  that  ym.  could  n.x  l«ve  even  .   h.I  that  la«t  lelier 
o  vvhu.hyo„r..umei,..K„..,|,»„cOraordinHry  .he  violations  .,f  „„,h,  or 

the  Iu,«,„  .w   ,„,,„.„y  ^,,,i,,,  i,  ,,„^,.,,,|,^       „^,^^  .^  ^^  „„.„„rou.  one  tl^t   ,llow. 

your  recul|..,t...n  .«  not  uih,.|  eve,,  ;,on.  tbe      'h  to   the  18th  o/   July-lj  days. 

I  nder  11.,.  Uu.,,r  .,ut,.  yuu  tell  n>e,  in  order  to  account  for  the  !..„«  „,  uh-ct  of 

p.aeh,  h«,l  ever  been  nu.de,  or  you  certainly  would  not  1„  e  In-en  tuunte.l  with 
wenty  years'  delay.  V.,u  had  lorm.tten  that  i„.  the  lith  you  wrote  that  you 
.«.  l«M.n  /-./"^"'/y  W,.,.W  to  come  out  with  a  .tateme,a  or,  the  suhji-t,  h.l 
hat  you  ,hou«ht  .t  «  .,„„.//  „^uin,  net  ir„,K,rt«nt  enouKh  to  interest  the  public. 

(.ontr«vers.al..ts  should   have  their   n.cts  HctUcI,   .„    «.„„|   „.emorics,  I,r  not 

«  nun){i-  till  ir  ,(/««/;«(•«,„.,, 

You  .rrriW...sir,ins«yinK  tlmt  a  re,K,rt  may   b.  amended   by  its  author, 
ve.  H  rent     oeco,,,,.,  history;"  but  then  it  n.u.t  bo  upon  ample  evulenee, 
■ml  (Mil  ,onv,ct.on  of  .i.  inaccuracy-oud  never  upon  .uch  teatimony  as  your. 
«•  pr.u  ed  in  the  case  diBcussed. 

Vonr  .lislinction  is  .p.ite  ri^ht,  also,  l^.twee..  limitations  in  law  and  m  honor  . 
'mt  you  see  „  .|.„.,  „„  „,,,,|y  ,.,.,,.       ^.,,^,    ,    ^^,,,    ^,^_   ^^^^   .^    ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^, 

ul  er  «  well  proved  re|K,rt  u,H,n  the  appeal  of  "a  single  and  not  uninterested 
witness,  who  had  tacitly  confirmed  .t  at  the  tim,. ;  and  the  new  evidence  bear, 
mo  out.  These  are  sliWit  |K.ints.  «nd  yuu  will  ,..„doi.  the  desultory  character 
"I  my  notices— I  take  up  the  topics  us  I  turn  the  leaves. 

V  our  complaint  about  your  prize  ticket  is  answered  by  yourself  in  the  record 
that  when  you  received  the  ticket,  the  reRulation.  of  the  navy  allowe.l  me  to 
give  you  only  a  private's  ticket ;  but  that  when  those  were  cluumed,  J  ^ave  you 
a  captain  s.     By  the  way,  you  ajipear  lo  muke  no  account  of  the  liivor      I  nmv 

''"'' '""  "'f""^-'  '"  'hat  case,  and  it  is  jH.ssible  that   in  ullowiuK  private  Tow- 

son  e  captain's  share,  1  did  inj.uitice  to  Mr.  Watts  and  the  rest,  who  or  their 
rei.reHentatives,  may  have  a  claim  upon  you  or  me  for  it.  But  I  miRht  plead 
that  1  admired  what  I  thought  your  gallantry  in  waving  your  rank  to  seek  dnn- 
ger,  and  that  my  ieeli„Ks  inlluenced  me,  as  when  in  my  report  I  named  you  be- 
ore  even  Prestman  whom  your  «eneral  made  your  real  commander,  and 
Koach  who  was  in  the  lH,at  with  myself,  both  of  ^vhc„■  have  been  presented 
warmly  to  the  War  Department,  who  hold  a  high  place  m  my  recollection,  whom 
am  proud  to  claim  as  my  personal  friends,  and  who  are  now  uncoui.led  with 
he  service.*  You  have  shown  me  my  error,  but  tins  mi^-ht  answer  your  que.- 
tion  as  to  my  reason  for  chaiiying  your  ticket. 

But  I  will  give  you  the  real  explanation.  You  misunderstood,  or  nusrepre- 
sented  me  as  you  h«ve  done  in  so  maiiy  other  cases.  What  I  told  you  was 
thatvv-heu  gave  you  n  pnNato's  ticket,  I  understood  the  reKuiution.s  to  allow  you 
no  other;  but  tlmt  ,t  after. ards  occurred  to  me  that  a  i)art  of  tm-  pri/.  money 
belonee.1  to  grades  of  rank  not  represented,  and  I  resolved,  theroiore,  to  allow 
you  .  ,  othcer's  ticket.  \  .,u  had  no  absolute  right  to  it,  but  I  wo^  willing  to  do 
you  a  (avor.  That  is  the  real  state  ol  the  case,  yet  from  that  favor  has  grown 
one  ol  your  principal  charges  against  ine. 

As  to  your  alledged  lelusal  once  to  take  my  hand,  I  have  not  the  slightest  re- 
collection ol  any  such  occurrence,  and  there  i»  the  best  reason  for  ulacin"  littk 
confidence  in  yours  ,  ' 


*  See  letters  ol  Ensign  Prwtinan  Md  Major  Koach,  in  the  Appendix. 


*i- 


mmmmm 


■*1* 


t 


i.i 


22 

I  do  not  believe  the  assertion.  The  only  conversation  between  us  that  I  re- 
member on  8..ch  a  subject,  was  in  Washingto..,  twelve  or  fifteen  year,  ago, 
when  you  requested  a  conference,  spoke  of  my  recent  coldness,  asked  .1  it  wm 
not  on  account  of  a  then  recent  publication  in  a  I'ittsburK  paper  (stating  m  gene- 
ral terms  that  justice  had  not  been  done  you)  and  learning  that  .t  was,  yon  dm 
avowed  all  agency  or  part  in  the  matter.  Fpon  that  disavowal,  I  gave  yo,.  my 
hand,  which  you  accepted  eagerly,  and,  to  n.y  k.iowledge,  nothing  else  oJ  the 
kind  ever  occurred  between  us. 

You  ask  how  1  know  that  tieneral  Scott  never  re,K)rted  coneeviung  my  expe- 
dition.  In  two  ways:  the  report  was  never  seen,  and  (k-neral  Scott  would 
never  have  done  me  Rucb  discourtesy  as  to  report  concernmg  my  subordinates, 
except  as  from  me.  The  point  was  trivial  and  incidental,  but  with  the  fatality 
which  has  marked  your  every  step  in  this  affair,  it  has  flung  more  suspicion 

upon  you. 

You  say  that  he  wrote  a  private  letter  of  such  a  nature  as  to  procure  for  you 
the  brevet  by  which  you  obtained  your  present  rank.  1  am  sorry  to  hear  it. 
There  was  thrift  in  view,  then,  if  you  withhel.t  what  you  call  your  report  fron. 
the  commander  of  the  expedition!  If  you  had  confided  your  merits  to  him, 
they  would  have  been  published  under  the  correction  of  your  companions,  anri 
you  would  have  received  your  exact  share  of  glory,  enhanced  only  by  his  par- 
tiality. But  you  did  hetter-you  made  a  private  report  of  your  achievements  to 
General  Scott  that  was  never  published,  and  which  none  could  contradict;  and 
believing  you,  as  we  did  when  we  accepted  you  as  a  volunteer  private,  he  so 
represented  it,  of  course  upon  y«»r  testimony,  as  to  obtain  for  you  the  brevet 
which  has  made  you  a  general  officer !     It  looks  like  a  piece  of  skillful  manage- 

You  compare  the  difficulties  encountered  by  the  two  boats,  and  remark  that 
though  mine  undc;  ..lok  what  seemed  to  be  the  more  arduous  and  dangerous  task, 
it  did  not  prove  to  be  so ;  and  your  reasons  are,  that  I  carried  the  Detroit  with 
sUght  loss,  and  speedily,  while  Mr.  Watts  had  a  hard  fight,  and  incurred  grea. 
loss,  I  had  the  honor,  sir,  to  explain,  in  my  former  letter,  why  a  surprise  m 
such  a  case  may  succeed,  nr  fail,  and  beg  to  refer  you  to  the  passage.  \  ou  in- 
timate that  our  enemy  was  commanded  by  a  provincial  officer,  less  skillful 
than  one  of  the  line;  trup.  but  if  you  measure  thus,  remember  that  my  fifty 
men  beat  fifty-six.  and  took  the  heavily  armed  vessel  with  little  loss,  while  the 
fifty,  of  whom  you  were  one,  had  but  twelve  antagonists— rjV/s^«*  commanded 
by  a  cMztn-in  a  merchant  vessel,  to  make  all  the  slaughter  of  which  you  com- 
plain, c       J 

On  another  topic,  which  you  bring  in,  I  can  scarcely  speak  calmly.  Sir,  do 
you  not  perfectly  know-have  you  not  ever  known— that,  until  after  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Detroit  was  completely  effected,  and  the  sword  of  her  commander 
was  yielded,  both  that  officer  and  myself  were  entirely  ignorant  of  even  each 
other's  existence  ?  and  that,  despite  the  distant  connection  by  marriage  between 
my  half  brothpr  and  him,  we  had  never  met,  nor  seen  each  other,  nor  had  the 
slightest  communication  ?  Sir,  you  must  have  known  all  this  well,  and  the  na- 
ture of  y»»r  referenc<;  to  that  accidental  and  unknown  connection  is  one  of  the 
Jeaat  w«rthy  features  in  your  letter. 

I  remember,  in  a  letter  of  Commodore  Perry's,  a.  remark  of  this  kind  :  "  I 
would  not  allow  myself  to  come  to  a  decided  opinion  that  an  officer  who  had  on 
a  former  occasion  so  handsomely  conducted  himself  (as  I  then,  in  common  with 
the  ^blic,  lad  hemi  ltd  to  nuppoie  Captain  EUiott  had)  could  possibly  be  guilty," 


■MMM 


mmm 


23 


between  us  that  1  re- 
1!  or  fifteen  year*  ago, 
ildncss,  asked  il'  it  was 
:  paper  (stating  in  gene- 
ig  that  it  was,  yo"  di» 
avowal,  I  gave  you  my 
»e,  nothing  else  of  the 

d  conceiTiing  my  expe- 
il  (k-neral  Scott  would 
■riling  my  subordinates, 
il,  but  with  the  fatality 
s  flung  more  suspicion 

e  as  to  procure  for  you 
1  am  sorry  to  hear  it. 
)u  call  your  report  from 
d  your  merits  to  him, 
f  your  companions,  and 
hanced  only  by  his  par- 
of  your  achievements  to 
B  could  contradict;  and 
vohinteer  private,  he  so 
tain  for  you  the  brevet 
piece  of  skillful  manage- 

I  boats,  and  remark  that 
luous  and  dangerous  task, 
.•arried  the  Detroit  with 
fight,  and  incurred  greai 
letter,  why  a  surprise  in 
to  the  passage.  You  in- 
cial  officer,  less  skillful 
remember  that  my  fifty 
vith  little  loss,  while  the 
sts — ntizens  commanded 
lighter  of  which  you  com- 

T  speak  calmly.  Sir,  do 
hat,  until  after  the  cap- 
sword  of  her  commander 
ly  ignorant  of  even  each 
tion  by  marriage  between 
1  each  other,  nor  had  the 
all  this  well,  and  the  na- 
connection  is  one  of  the 

,  remark  of  this  kind  :  "  I 
that  an  officer  who  had  on 
s  1  then,  in  common  with 
I  could  possibly  be  guilty," 


&c.  It  was  a  singular  expression  that!  H&il  •' been  ieii  to  suppose :'  Who  had 
flung  the  )/ouil  ?  I  have  never  found  a  clue.  Voii  tell  me  that  you  have  been  tam- 
pered with  by  Commodore  Perry's  friends — i/ou  now  (ling  an  impeachment  of 
my  conduit  on  that  ••  I'ormer  occasion  1"  }»«  tell  me  that  you  ^'alivdyn  thought 
it  stninge  thut  the  Detroit  should  hav;'  been  captured  so  quickly,"  *ic.  You 
kept  it  well  from  nie  I  Were  voc,  then,  the  incendiary  that  kindled  dissension 
between  Perry  and  me  >. — that  turned  our  frank  friendship  into  hatred  on  his 
part  ?  Were  ytm  tlie  viper  that  stung  ? — was  it  you  that  crept  between  us.  and 
embittered  our  kindly  feelinirs  ?  Were  you  ilms  avengins  the  slight  part  which 
only  could  be  assigned  you  in  that  enterpri/e.  which  still  haunts  you?  I  can- 
not believe  it — it  is  impossible  that  one  who  jKissessrs  your  reputation  could  be 
guilty  of  this  inconceivable  baseness!  There  was  no  cause,  no  sufficient  mo- 
tive, for  such  tremendous  wickedness.  We  do  not  expect  such  things  from  the 
frank,  gallant  soldier,  .^nd  yet  the  act  was  of  a  class  to  be  done  by  the  creep- 
ing:, sly,  profit-making  spirits  who  hang  around  commanders,  and  make  private 
reports  of  their  own  brave  deeds,  and  get  brevets  lor  them.  But  no — it  could 
not  be  you.  Yet  I  would  give  much  to  know  who  it  was.  The  foul  wrong  has 
clung  to  me  to  this  day,  and  I  am  not  psitient  under  it. 

One  point  escaped  me,  in  your  former  communication,  which  can  be  here 
answered.  You  say  that  "if  Mr.  Watts  or  the  seamen  had  remained,  or  re- 
turned after  the  cargo  was  landed,  we  should  have  been  able  to  have  brought 
the  vessel  into  port."  Mr.  Watts  and  his  brave  companions  had  a  more  noble 
employment  than  removing  furs ;  they  were  at  the  battery  at  Black  Rock,  un- 
der my  immediate  direction,  in  <lesperate  fight,  and  many  of  them  left  their 
gory  l>odies  there  as  testimonials  of  the  desperate  conflict  of  that  morning. 

But  to  have  done  with  this.  1  consider,  sir,  that  you  are  set  on  by  my  ene- 
mies to  bait  me,  or  that  your  own  vanity  has  instigated  you  to  make  yourself 
gain  iit  my  expense,  and  that  you  pursue  your  rim  in  a  spirit  of  determined  hos- 
tility. I  thought  so  in  reading  your  first  letter;  hut  the  ha7^rd  to  yourself  was 
so  fearful  that  I  presumed  you  would  have  prudence  enough  to  desist  when  that 
was  pointed  out  to  you.  I  have  observed  less  restraint  now,  as  is  natural 
toward  a  determined  foe,  but  I  still  think  you  will  have  caution  enough  to 
avoid  publication.     If  you  have  not,  I  shall  simply  publish  this  correspondence. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  D.  ELLIOTT, 


On  July  2yth  a  letter  was  received  from  (Jenl.  Towson,  bearing  his  frank 
and  seal,  which  evidently  was  not  such  as  it  had  been  intimated  to  him  would 
only  be  received.     It  was,  therefore,  returned  unopened  with  the  following : 


U.  S.  Suit  Co.nstititio^,  Hahbor  or 
New  York,  Jlxy  29,   1835, 


1 


Th  General  Nathan  Towson, 

.SiV— I  informed  you  in  my  letter  of  the  2.3d,  that  I  should  with  that  close 
the  correspondence.  The  terw  of  that  paper  was  such,  that  any  further  com- 
munication from  you  must,  to  be  received,  be  of  that  kind  that  is  sent,  not 
through  the  post-office  and  sealed,  but  by  a  friend.  Your  letter,  mailed  on  the 
27th,  is  therefore  returned  unopened. 

(Signed)  J.  D,  ELLIOTT, 


^xiis^s^imi'fi^m>sf^mi»igi^hmffA'>^«if»f^ 


24 

The  following  note  was  delivered  on  l)oard  the  Constitution,  August  17th,  by 
Dr.  Maeauly.  with  the  observation  that  he  wished  to  inakc  some  remarks  rela- 
tive to  it,  and  a  request  that  Com.  Elliott  would  appoint  a  friend  with  whom  he 
mii;ht  confer.  To  this  Com.  Elliott  replied,  by  introdurins;  him  to  Col.  CanonjtP, 
who  was  waiting  in  his  after  cabin  in  readiness  for  surh  an  emergency.  Com. 
Elliott  had  been,  at  that  time,  three  days  under  sailing  orders,  an<l  was  lying 
off  Staten  Island. 

New  YdUK,   AiGTST  17,   ISS,"). 
Sir — My  triend.  Doctor  Maoauly,  Avaits  on  you  with  a  proposition  from  me. 
If  you  accede  to  it,  he  is  authorized,  on  my  part,  to  make  the  arrangements 
for  our  meeting. 

With  due  respect,  &c. 
(Signed)  N.  TOWSON. 

Commodore  J.  D.  KUioit. 


The  note  below  was  sent  by  Col.  Canonge  as  a  reply  to  the  above,  in  con- 
formity with  the  advice  of  that  gentleman,  after  his  interview  with  J)r.  Marauly, 
who  left  the  ship,  it  was  understood,  fully  comprehending  that  a  meeting  was 
arranged  for  thi;  following  morning  at  (i  o'clock;  all  preparations  for  which 
had  been  made — place,  distance,  time  and  arrtis  being  specified.  Col.  Canonge 
and  Dr.  Maeauly  went  to  town  together  to  confer  with  Gen.  Towson. 

U.  S.  Ship  Coxstitution,  ( 
AuofST  17,  183.5.         J 

Sir — The  note  which  you  presented  to  me  to-day,  I  can  only  receive  as  a 
challenge.  If  this  is  intended,  you  are  referred  to  my  friend,  Col.  Canonge, 
for  other  necessary  arrangements. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  J.  D.  ELLIOTT. 

Dr,  Maeauly,  present. 


I      t 


The  affair  was  subsequently  brought  to  an  unexpected  close  by  the  following 
reply,  which  was  brought  on  board  the  frigate  by  Col.  Canonge,  after  his  inter- 
view with  Gen.  Towson. 

New  York,  August  17,  1835. 
Sir — I  was  not  authorized  by  General  Towson  to  oHfer  his  note  to  you  as  a 
challenge,  but  to  make  the  following  proposition  ;  "  That  you  should  select  an 
officer  or  other  friend,  who,  with  myself,  should  decide,  under  the  existing 
circumstances,  the  party  who  should  send  the  challenge ;  and  further,  should 
he  be  the  challenged  jwrty,  that  he  waves  any  advantage  from  that  circum- 
stance."    These  propositions  you  rejected. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obed't  serv't, 

(Signed)  C.  MACAULY. 

Commodore  Eiliott,  U.  S.  Frigate  ConMittUion. 


MM9i 


m,  Aiiinist  17tli,  by 
some  remarks  rola- 

iend  with  whom  ho 
lim  to  Col.CanonKP. 

cmfrcency.  Com. 
rderH.  ami  was  lying 

^rarsT  17,    1835. 
iroposition  from  me. 
B  the  arrangements 


N.  TOWSON. 


0  the  above,  in  con- 
w  with  Dr.  Maenuly, 
that  a  meeting  was 
^parations  for  which 
■ifit'd.  Col.  Canonge 
I.  Towson. 

IIIP  CoXSTITfTION,  ( 

lUST  17,  1833.  ) 

!an  only  receive  as  a 
riend,  Col.  Canonge, 

vant, 

J.  D.  ELLIOTT. 


lose  by  the  foUowiiig 
nonge,  after  his  inter- 

AijofST  17,   1835. 
■  his  note  to  you  as  a 
:  you  should  select  an 
le,  under  the  existing 

;  and  further,  should 
re  from  that  circum- 


t, 


C.  MACAULY. 


25 

The  letter  to  Dr.  Holland  was  sent,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  date,  in  the 
interval  between  Com.  Elliott's  returnins;  Gcnl.  Towson's  letter  of  July  2f'th, 
and  his  receiving  the  mcssnsre  by  Dr.  Mac;iuly  on  the  17th  of  Aiisust — an 
interval  so  long  as  to  warrant  the  opinion  that  (Jenl.  Towson  was  incii.icd  to 
carry  the  matter  no  farther. 

It  may  he  well  to  observe,  that  Col.  Canonge.  on  the  receipt  of  Gen.  Tow- 
son's  Ui.^t  note,  returned  on  board  the  Constitution  during  the  night,  and  ad- 
vised Com.  Elliott  that,  having  done  all  in  /(/«  power  to  bring  the  affair  to  an 
i.ssue,  he  had  now  only  to  so  to  sea,  leaving  the  farther  defence  of  his  reputation 
to  Col.  Canonge. 

IT.  S.  Sine  CoNsrrririoN,  ( 

New  YoHK,   Ar(!.  11,  IH;!.").      ^ 

To    n'il/i,7,H  llulhll'l,     E.1,1. 

Dear  Sir — About  to  sail  on  a  cruiae  of  some  duration,  I  cannot  depart  with- 
out expressing  to  you  my  high  sense  of  the  friendly  zeal  with  which  the  New 
York  Times  lias  repelled  the  attacks  directed  again.st  me  by  a  partisan  press. 
I  conctir  with  you  in  the  o|>inion,  that  political  feelings,  if  not  political  views, 
have  coutributu'd,  with  private  liostility,  to  prompt  those  attacks ;  and  the  I'riends 
of  the  administration  will.  I  trust,  note  with  approbation  the  able  defence  for 
wliich  personally  I  feel  .so  grateful. 

The  numerous  quarters  whence  these  arrows  were  launched,  and  their  simul- 
taneous appearance,  indicate  a  concert  of  action,  which  could  only  result  from 
some  deliberate  plan  directed  by  concealed  agents,  and  such  I  believe  to  have 
existed.  You  w  ill  perceive  from  the  correspondence,  copies  of  which  *re  en- 
closed, that  while  your  press  was  defending  me  against  those  whom  my  situa- 
tion precluded  my  noticing  in  person,  another  branch  of  the  scheme  was  in 
operation  which  I  could  meet  myself  The  application  of  General  Towson 
was  so  extraordinary,  the  claim  so  unfounded,  that  I  cannot  doubt  his  being 
instigated  by  some  of  those  who  have  banded  themselves  against  me.  The 
strong  suspicion  that  the  recent  public  and  private  attacks  uj)on  me  were 
prompted  from  the  same  quarter,  will  probably  appear  to  you  to  be  well  nigh 
justified,  if  you  compare  a  passage  in  General  Towson's  second  letter,  with  a 
passage  in  one  of  the  articles  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer,  I  mean  that,  as- 
serting that  family  connections  of  mine  were  engaged  in  that  war  on  the  side 
of  the  enemy.  My  reply  to  General  Towson  will  show  you  how  idle  is  such 
an  assertion  :  but  the  facts,  that  the  alledged  connection  has,  never  so  far  as  I 
know,  and  I  should  be  likely  to  know  it,  been  stated  or  alluded  to,  in  any 
newspaper  or  publication  whatever — that  the  empty  gossip  had  probably  been 
hiard  by  very  few  only — and  that  now,  for  the  first  time,  it  should  be  brought 
up  by  General  Towson,  in  a  letter  to  me,  almost  simultaneously  by  the  Cou- 
rier and  Enquirer  in  its  columns — certainly  afford  plausihle  gromuls  for  the 
idea,  that  on  that  point  at  least,  if  not  throughout,  the  same  liand  directed  the 
attack  in  both  quarters. 

As  to  the  officer  alluded  to,  although  my  enemy,  I  am  bound  to  s."\  that  his 
conduct,  so  far  from  being  suspe«ted  by  his  countrymen,  was,  I  have  heard,  con- 
sidered by  them  to  deserve  the  compliment  of  a  sworil  and  a  diinier,  which 
were  paid  him  at  Montreal. 

You  are  welcome  to  show  the  corresjiondence  to  any  of  your  frieud.s.  and  in- 
deed I  know  no  reason  on  my  part,  for  objecting  to  its  publication,  if  that  be 
deemed  advisable.  1  hiive  now  allowed  tieneral  Towson  twelve  days  since  my 
last  note  to  him,  for  any  ulterior  steps  he  might  choose  to  take  ;  and  as  he  is 


vi 


I 


26 

silent,  I  presume  he  intends  to  go  no  further.  For  the  rest,  he  certainly  has 
no  ripht  to  cluiin  the  suppression  of  the  correspondence,  and  he  distinctly  inti- 
mates in  his  last,  an  intention  to  make  a  statement  on  the  subject  of  it ;  whe- 
ther he  has  thouj^ht  better  of  it,  and  abandoned  his  purpose,  or  whether  he 
withholds  it  only  until  1  shall  have  sailed,  is  of  course  matter  for  conjecture 
alone.  But,  in  any  case,  he  certainly  ha.s  no  claims  on  my  forbearance.  1  put 
the  correspondence  in  your  hands,  to  be  used  as  you  shall  judj;e  proper. 

With  the  leiteration  of  my  grateful   acknowledgments  of  your  kindness,  ac- 
cept also  assurances  of  the  hii;h  respect  and  esteem  with  which  I  remain, 

Yours  tridy, 
(Signed)  J.  D.  ELLIOTT. 


On  Monday,  the  linh,  the  day  after  Commodou  KUiotfs  sailing  for  the  Me- 
(!iterranean.  the  following  paragraph  appeared  in  the  New  York  Courier  and 
Enquirer  : — 

"  Monday,  1 1,  P.  M.— We  have  just  been  informed,  that  a  friend  of  General 
Towson  waited  upon  Elliott,  on  board  the  Constitution,  yesterday  afternoon, 
and  submitted  the  following  proposition  ; — 

'•  •  General  Towson  authorizes  me  to  propose,  that  Commodore  Elliott  should 
select  an  officer  or  other  friend,  who  with  mysell  shall  decide,  imder  existing 
circumstances,  which  party  shall  challenge ;  and  further,  should  he  (General 
Towson,)  be  the  challenged  party,  he  agrees  ,to  wave  any  advantage  arising 
from  that  position.' 

"  This  proposition,  after  an  hour's  deliberation,  was  peremptorily  rejected." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  paragraph.  Col.  Canonge  called  (as  Commodore 
Elliott  was  subsequently  informed,)  on  the  Editor  of  the  New  York  Courier 
and  Enquirer,  and  caused  the  following  explanation  to  be  inserted  in  the  same  : 

Copied  front  the  NtfV  Yori  Anwrieaii. 

..  Sij,  ■_!  hasten  to  correct  a  statement  which  appears  in  the  Courier  and 
Enquirer  of  this  morning,  which  does  injustice  to  Com.  Elliott.  I  bore  the 
propositions  from  Gen.  Towson  to  Com.  Elliott,  which,  at  the  request  of  the 
Commodore,  were  reduced  to  writing;  upon  a  very  sho.t  consultation  with  a 
friend  they  were  returned  by  the  Commodore,  who  declined  receiving  them, 
but  expressed  his  willingness  to  consider  the  note  1  had  delivered  as  a  challenge; 
a  communication  to  which  effect  he  made  in  writing.  Having  no  authority  from 
Gen  Towson  to  proceed  further  in  the  matter,  in  case  the  propositions  were 
declined  an  answer  was  given  to  the  Commodore  to  that  effect.  Gen.  Towson 
has  desired  that  the  statement  should  be  made,  and  requests  its  immediate  pub- 
lication, as  an  act  of  justice  to  Com.  Elliott. 

"  Very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  P.  MACAULY. 

»  Friday  Mornitifi,  Aug.  1«." 

'•  The  following  are  the  propositions  referred  to,  in  the  above  letter. 

"  '  Gen  Towfon  authorizes  me  to  propose,  that  Com.  Elliott  should  select  an 
officer  or  other  friend,  who  with  myself  shall  decide,  under  existing  circum- 
stances which  party  shall  challenge ;  and  further,  should  he  (Gen.  Towson,)  be 
the  challenged  party,  he  agrees  to  wave  any  advantage  arising  trom  that  po- 
sition.'  '  r.  1       1 

T'his  proposition  was  delivered,  unopened  by  Commodore  Elliott,  to  Colonel 
Canonge,  who  directed  the  Commodore  to  reply  to  it  by  an  unconditional  ac- 
ceptance of  it,  at  a  challenge,  as  shown  by  the  correspondence  above. 


1r 


'I 


MMWM 


iitiMiriiiiiiiiinirniiwiiiirirWiiirriifyift 


he  certainly  has 
10  distinctly  inti- 
jject  of  it ;  whr- 
!,  or  whether  he 
M  lor  conjecture 
bearance.  1  put 
0  proper. 
3ur  kindness,  ac- 
h  I  remain, 

0.  ELLIOTT. 


liling  for  the  Me- 
'ork  Courier  and 

friend  of  General 
iterday  afternoon, 

ore  Elliott  should 
le,  under  existing 
lould  he  (General 
advantage  arising 

iptorily  rejected." 

!d  (as  Commodore 
ew  York  Courier 
irted  in  the  same  : 


the  Courier  and 
lliott.  I  bore  the 
the  request  of  the 
)nsultation  with  a 
1  receiving  them, 
red  as  a  challenge; 

no  authority  from 
propositions  were 
ct.  Gen.  Towson 
ts  immediate  pub- 


?.  MACAULY. 

)ve  letter. 
)tt  should  select  an 
r  existing  eircum- 
(Gen.  Towson.)  be 
ing  from  that  po- 

Elliott,  to  Colonel 
I  (uironditional  ac- 
;e  above. 


APPENDIX, 


He.kd  Quarters,  Lkwistown,  Sei"t.  25,  1812. 
,"?(>, — 1  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  yestcrclay,  stating  Lieut. 
Elliott  has  proposed  to  make  an  attempt  to  cut  out  one  of  the  vessels  at  Erie, 
and  has  requested  your  assistance  by  men,  &c.,  for  the  enterprize. 

You  will  please  to  furnish  Lieut.  Elliott  immediately  with  men,  arms,  ammu- 
nition, boats  and  implements  of  every  kind  to  the  uttermost  of  his  wishes,  and 
the  means  you  can  possibly  command  to  render  the  enterprize  successful. 

I  am,  sir, 

S.  VAN  RENSSELAER. 
Major  Genl.  Hall,  Coiitmaru/iiig  Bind-  Hoei: 


IFkad  Qiaktkrs,  Lewistow.n,  Sept.  25,  1R12. 
Sir, — I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  I  have  this  day  sent  to  Major-General 
Hall,  with  my  best  wishes  that  success  may  crown  your  enterprize. 
I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your'  most  obedient  servant. 

Signed,  S.  VAN  RENSSELAER,  Major-General. 

LitiU.  Elliott,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  BufftUo. 


KiNDERiiooK,  July  1'),  1835. 
Dear  f^ir, — I  think  it  was  on  the  night  of  the  10th  inst.,  that  Col.  Schuyler, 
then  commanding  the  brigade,  and  Cols.  Mead  and  Stranahan's  regiment  of  the 
Militia  were  informed  in  my  presence  by  the  Militia  patrols,  that  the  British 
were  crossing  the  Niagara,  both  above  anil  below  us,  in  great  numbers.  The 
colonel  then  requested  me  to  take  a  few  with  me,  and  select  a  station  of  the 
river  where  I  could  see  all  that  passed  on  it.  I  posted  myself  on  the  bank  a 
little  to  the  north  of  Genl.  Porter's  house,  and  immediately  sent  a  man  to  camp 
to  inform  the  colonel  that  there  was  no  movement  on  the  river,  in  that  direc- 
tion, as  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  it  being  a  light  night.  I  continued  to  despatch 
a  man  with  the  like  information  every  half  hour  until  about  10  o'clock,  when  I 
heard  the  movement  of  the  troops  on  the  road,  challenged,  and  was  answered  by 
the  adjutant  of  the  13th  infantry,  whose  voice  I  well  knew,  saying  "the  enemy 
has  landed  above  and  below  us  in  great  force,  and  we  are  on  the  retreat." 
Having  left  my  horse  with  Genl.  Porter's  servant  the  previous  day,  I  hastened 
there  and  gave  the  alarm  to  you  and  the  general  in  the  very  words  I  had  received 
it  from  Adjutant  Eldridge,  and  while  in  conversation  with  yourself  and  Genl 


tatKt 


iflM 


28 


J 


Porter,  neither  of  vou  uei.ievino  the  hki'dkt  to  be  thie,  a  detachment  of 
my  regiment,  Capts.  Spraul  and  Martin's  Company  passing,  I  was  requested  to 
join  Ihein,  which  1  did.  #«*»♦* 

Signed,  M.  MYKRS, 

Ixile  Captain  VJlh  U-  ti.  Infantry. 


OcroiiER  ftTH. 

Sir, — Mr.  Prestman  will  brin>;  you  the  aid  we  can  give  ;  he  is  a  gallant  young 
man,  and  I  request  that  he  may  be  allowed  to  accompany  you. 
The  God  who  protects  the  brave,  guard  you  and  give  you  success  1 

Signed,  ALKXANUWR  SMYTH. 

UsHt.  Elliott. 


New  Port,  R.  I.,  Auulst  27,  1831. 
Sir, — On  the  morning  previous  to  the  expedition,  Capt.  Elliott  called  at  Head 
Quarters,  and  stated  to  the  general  that  a  detachment  ol"  sailors  had  arrived  at 
Buffalo  on  the  last  evening,  and  that  he  thought  he  could  capture  the  two  British 
vessels,  then  lying  under  Fort  Erie,  if  the  general  would  grant  him  the  aid  of 
a  small  detachment  of  soldiers,  to  which  the  general  acceded,  and  directed  me 
to  detail  the  number  of  soldiers  required.  Capt.  Elliott  jiarticidarbi  requested 
that  no  officer  of  the  army  might  be  detailed  to  accompany  the  soldiers,  who 
would,  in  virtue  of  his  rank,  comm.\nd  any  naval  officer  who  might  have 
charge  of  either  ol  the  boats.  This  request  was  also  acceded  to,  and  in  obedi- 
ence to  orders,  I  selected  from  the  infantry  thirty  or  forty  men,  (I  forget  the 
exact  number,)  and  placed  them  i;.ndek  the  co.mmand  of  Ensicn  Pkest.man,  of 
the  5th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  who  it  was  intended  by  me  should  bo  the  only  com- 
missioned officer  of  the  army  sent  with  the  troops.  But  on  going  to  the  camp  of 
the  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Scott,  to  select  a  few  men  more, 
I  then  met  Captains  Towson  and  Barker,  of  that  corps,  who,  on  hearing  the 
object  of  my  visit,  expressed  a  great  desire  to  go  with  the  expedition,  and  on 
my  stating  to  them  that  their  rank  necessarily  precluded  them,  they,  with  their 
characteristic  solicitude  to  engage  in  any  perilous  adventure,  volunteered  to  go 
in  any  capacity  whatever.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  consented  to  take  one 
of  them,  and  decided  which  of  the  two  should  go,  by  hazard,  and  it  fell  to  the 
lot  of  Towson  to  go.  *  *  *  *  *  * 

One  of  the  vessels  grounded  close  on  our  side  and  was  secured,  the  other 
grounded  on  the  side  of  Squaw  Island,  next  to  the  enemy.  Capt.  Elliott  caused 
the  detachment  and  all  the  prisoners  to  be  landed,  and  on  the  following  night 
the  vessel  which  had  grounded  on  Squaw  Island,  was  set  on  fire  by  Capt.  Ch-iin- 
bers,  of  the  5th  Infantry,  and  destroyed.  *  *  *  * 

Respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  bankhi:ad. 


^1    f-f^ 


--w.  :May>iiiiiiiiS..iii'iiiiiiMMfliw;iiriiiiiii 


aiimjlfjiw 


MHBM 


,  II  (letaohnieiit  of 
[  was  rtHiuesteii  to 

*  * 

.  MYKKS, 
U.  S.  Infantry. 


OcrotiKR  flTH. 

if)  a  gallant  young 

IR'CPSS  I 

UBR  SMYTH. 


ijuusr  27,  18.11. 
iott  called  at  Head 
lors  had  arrived  at 
ire  the  two  British 
rant  him  the  aid  of 
d,  and  directed  me 
■ticnlarly  regiiesteU 
r  the  soldiers,  who 
I  who  might  have 
ed  to,  and  in  obedi- 

•  men.  (I  forget  the 
isicN  Pkest.man,  of 
Id  be  the  only  com- 
oing  to  the  camp  of 
:t  a  few  men  more,  ' 
ho,  on  hearing  the 
expedition,  and  on 
m,  they,  with  their 
!,  volunteered  to  go 
nscnted  to  take  one 
d,  and  it  fell  to  the 

*  * 
secured,  the  other 

3apt.  Elliott  caused 
the  following  night 
firo  by  C'lipt.  Cb'-jii- 
*  « 


S  BANKHEAD. 


39 

The  following  letters  were  written  in  reply  to  letters  addressed  to  the  authors 
by  Capt.  i;lliott  :— 

"  Nkw  Casti.k,  Jine  27,   18.11. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  have  received  your  letter  under  date  of  the  I'Jth  of  the  ])re- 
sent  month,  and  regret  to  learn  that  you  have  been  assailed  by  the  republica- 
tion of  certain  offensive  charges.  The  several  high  commands,  and  imiiortuiil 
duties  repeatedly  assigned  to  you,  are  full  evidence  that  tlie  goverimii'iit  and 
countay  place  every  confidence  in  your  patriotism,  talents  and  valor;  and  if  I 
may  take  the  liberty  of  offering  a  suggestion,  it  would  be  that  it  best  comports 
with  your  dignity  and  self-respect  to  rest  your  cause  here.  You  particularly 
call  my  attention  to  the  capture  of  two  English  vessels  under  the  guns  of  Fort 
Erie  in  181'.;,  and  say,  '  as  yon  iivre  acting  ntuler  my  immeilinle  command  at 
the  time,  icill  you  be  Unit  enonsjh  to  state  to  me,  us  soon  as  possible,  the  matters 
and  thinps  relative  to  that  affair  ?' 

"  The  length  of  time  that  has  elapsed,  and  the  entire  change  which  has  taken 
place  in  my  habits  and  associations,  render  such  reminiscences  difficult.  Ire- 
collect  that  the  attack  was  made  at  night,  by  two  Iwats.  in  one  of  which  I  was 
with  you.  The  British  vessels  referred  to  were  taken,  one  of  them  brought 
over  to  the  American  shore,  and  the  other,  grounding  on  an  island  in  the  river, 
was  destroyed.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  facts  belonging  to  the  affair  speak  for 
themselves.  The  planning  and  conducting  of  the  enterprise  unquestionably 
pertained  to  you,  and  by  every  rule  of  military  service,  the  credit  of  it  is  your 
due. 

"  Most  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

"S.  W.  PRESTMAN." 

■•  Pm]i,.m)i.:i,i'ui.\,  Jine  27,   18,11. 
"  Capt.  J.  D.  Elliott,  U.  S.  N. 

"Dear  Sir, — I  received  your  letter  of  the  lOth  inst.  several  days  since,  but 
have  been  too  much  indisposed  to  reply  to  it.  In  allusion  to  '  lansr"nce  used 
by  the  late  Commodore  Perry,  in  1818,  relative  to  your  conduct  in  the  capture 
of  the  British  brigs  Detroit  and  Caledonia,  from  under  the  guna  of  Fort  Erie 
in  1812,'  yon  ask  for  my  impressions  of  that  affair.  I  never  heard  that  any 
one  but  yourself  suggested  or  directed  the  expedition.  It  was  undoubtedly  ex- 
ecuted with  skill  and  bravery,  or  it  could  not  have  succeeded.  As  I  was  acting 
under  your  immediate  command,  and  taking  the  helm  from  your  cockswain, 
and  laying  your  boat  alongside  the  Detroit,  boarding  her  side  by  side  with  you, 
and  during  the  fight  and  subsequent  cannonade  with  the  British  forts,  I  was  con- 
stantly near  you,  I  am  authorized  to,  and  cheerfully  testify,  sir,  to  your  bra- 
very on  the  occasion. 

"  If  we  had  been  defeated,  the  odium  would  have  attached  to  you  alone. 
We  were  successful,  and  you  received  all  the  credit,  and  I  regret  that  any  po- 
litical occurrence  of  the  present  day  should  tend  to  disparage  your  exertions  in 
the  late  war. 

"  With  much  respect  and  esteem, 

'■  I  remain,  sir,  your  ob't  serv't, 

"  I.  ROACH, 
"  Late  Major  U.  S.  Artillery." 


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